Leaders of the protest movement trying to overthrow Thailand's government have outlined their aims at an armed forces seminar, but military leaders declined to take sides or say if a February election should take place.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra called a snap election on Monday, when 160,000 people besieged her office. She remains caretaker prime minister but the protesters want her to go now, with political reforms pushed through before any election. The army has staged or attempted 18 coups in the past 80 years.