The regime is downplaying efforts by "anti-government elements" to undermine its position, predicting the movements will lose steam.
National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) spokesman Piyapong Klinpan said on Sunday that those who had attempted to incite public discontent against the government will lose all credibility.
He made the remark as the government comes under renewed pressure over several controversial issues, including the 90-day extension of enforcement of the organic bill on the election of MPs, the luxury watch scandal involving Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon and the government's handling of protesters.
Police brought criminal charges against 39 activists who led or joined a gathering of about 100 people at Bangkok's Pathumwan intersection on Jan 27 for violating the NCPO's ban on political gatherings of five or more people.
The group was demonstrating its opposition to the likely election delay.
Then on Wednesday, authorities charged eight civil rights activists of the People Go Network for violating the political gathering ban, following the launch of their cross-country march campaign on Jan 20.
The 'We Walk' march aims to demonstrate public dissatisfaction with the government's attempts to deal with a variety of social issues.
On Sunday, Suriyasai Katasila, deputy dean of Rangsit University's Social Innovation College and former coordinator for the People's Alliance for Democracy, said the government's popularity looks to be in decline. This will adversely affect moves to set up a military-backed political party to support an outsider prime minister.
Restoring public confidence will not be easy as the people have given the military government nearly four years to run the country with little to show for it, he said.
Defence Ministry spokesman Khongcheep Tantravanich denied a report the ministry had instructed several military units to vote in favour of Gen Prawit on online polls in support of him remaining in office.
Lt Gen Khongcheep said the ministry had no such policy and did not give any orders relating to the matter.
"If such an order had been issued, the number of votes in favour would have been much higher because there are more than 300,000 soldiers nationwide," the Defence Ministry spokesman said.
Adul Khieuboribun, chairman of the 1992 May Heroes Relatives Committee, called on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to announce precisely for the last time when the election will be held.
The committee also urged Gen Prawit to resign over the watch scandal to set a moral precedent and help prevent any confrontation.
It said the NCPO has governed the country for more than three years, which is more than enough.
According to the result of an opinion survey, Suan Dusit Poll, conducted by Suan Dusit Rajabaht University, the possible postponement of the general election heads the list of political concerns for the general public.
In the poll, carried out Jan 30-Feb 3 on 1,217 people throughout the country, respondents were asked to name five current political issues of interest.
Some 84.6% said they were interested in reports on the postponement of the general election, while 66.7% mentioned arguments between the government on one side and politicians and activist groups on the other.
For 54% of respondents, the passing of organic laws affecting the election, political parties and politicians was of concern. They said the laws were difficult to understand and should be more clearly explained.
The fourth issue, mentioned by 53.4% of respondents, was anti-government activities by pro-democracy groups.
They wanted to know whether the activities would escalate and how the government would handle the situation.
The fifth issue, cited by 49.7% of respondents, was that of unresolved cases against politicians. They said that they wanted justice for all sides.
