BANGKOK (AP) — In his first address to the public since taking control of Thailand in a bloodless coup, the head of the military junta said it could take more than a year for new elections to be held because peace and reforms must be achieved first.

Army commander Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha repeated warnings against protests or resistance to the army’s May 22 takeover, saying they would slow the process of bringing back “happiness” to the Thai people.