On 19 January 2013, the Armed Forces remained in a neutral position and based on the articulated position of the army's Supreme Commander General Thanasak Patimaprakorn, a peaceful outcome whereby the ultimate interests of the Thai nation was of the utmost importance and any further discussions would ideally be undertaken with a truly independent mediator present. The general explained: "Both the government and the protesters may lose but the nation will gain. If they don't talk, we won't see the way," but Thanasak was also adamant that the intervention of another foreign state is not permissible.