Thai military pledges election neutrality

BANGKOK, June 3 (UPI) -- The Thai military will not interfere with the July 3 parliamentary election, the defense minister promised Friday.

Gen. Prawit Wongsuwon told the Thai News Agency he has told the Defense Council the armed forces must observe strict neutrality and called on political parties not to try to draw the military into the fray.

"Politicians should campaign on anything except by using comments that taint other organizations," he said. "The military also wants to see reconciliation in the country so the nation can move forward."

Army Chief Prayuth Chan-ocha seconded Prawit's pledge and denied charges from the opposition Pheu Thai Party that he was directing soldiers to vote for the ruling Democrats in early balloting.