The Army chief insisted yesterday that there was no royal interference and that people should stop trying to involve the monarchy in politics.
Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, who assumed the post of Army chief on October 1, said His Majesty was saddened to see his people were suffering from natural disasters and conflicting with each other.
He said that despite the anonymous claims and allegations made online and in leaflets, His Majesty had never interfered in politics or international relations.
"I speak with my honour that His Majesty has never interfered in any issues - politics or international relations - as has been alleged. He has no need to get involved in those matters and he is not in a position to seek more [wealth or power]," Prayuth said.
"He has always cared about his people's happiness, and it's time that we care about his happiness. The King has had a difficult life for more than 80 years and has worked for more than 60 years."
He said His Majesty should be credited for Thailand's relatively stable society. "Without him, the country could not have been so peaceful. Thailand would survive, but not in the way it is now."
The Army chief also called on Thais to help protect the monarchy and ensure that people who make false allegations against the monarchy get punished. He also called on those making inflammatory remarks out of misunderstanding or with no harmful intent to stop doing so.
"It's not right to attack anyone in the shadows. If you want to express your views, you should come out in the open to speak and explain. Those who say they have nothing to do with [such attacks] should come forward and help get rid of this thing," he said.
Prayuth was speaking to the media while presiding over a religious ceremony at the Army headquarters to mark the centenary of King Rama V's death. The headquarters are near the late monarch's equestrian statue at the Royal Plaza.
The Army chief said people involved in conflicts should try to settle them through legal proceedings, instead of trying to get the monarchy involved.
The Army chief also defended the role of the security forces in the recent political unrest, saying the authorities did not wish to use force, but they had to comply with the law.
"We all regretted the loss of lives and injuries. I want to tell you sincerely that soldiers, police and civilian authorities did not want anyone to get injured or killed," he said.
Prayuth said it appeared as if there was a "good versus bad" battle going on in Thai society, saying that the bad ones were those who have no morals or ethical values.
"These bad people can become good people by purifying their minds and obeying the rules and regulations. If Thailand does not respect laws and regulations, we can't survive," he said.