Thailand's military rulers held out little hope for early elections, a week after the army seized power, saying conditions had to be right and divisions healed before there could be a return to civilian rule.

"It is the council's intention to create the right conditions ... to put Thailand on the path to free and fair elections," Chatchalerm Chalermsukh, the army's deputy chief of staff, said on Thursday in reference to the military government.

"I want to ask you how long it takes to heal divisions between two groups that have been going on for 10 years?" Chatchalerm said.

"The two sides do not have to love each other but we want the situation to stay calm and peaceful. We need a period of time for all sides to cool down."

The army, led by General Prayuth Chan-ocha, removed the government on May 22.