Thailand's coup leaders keep ex-PM, Cabinet detained 'to think'

Coup leaders say they will keep former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Cabinet members and anti-government protest leaders in detention.

The anti-government protesters have in recent months blocked streets in Bangkok demanding that the government step down over allegations of corruption. (Reuters)

Thailands coup leaders said onSaturday they will keep former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Cabinet members and anti-government protest leaders in detention for up to a week to give them time to think, as the junta expanded its target list to include several prominent academics.

The move appears aimed at preventing any political leaders from contacting supporters to rally them against the military, which seized power onThursday after months of sometimes violent street protests and deadlock between the elected government and protesters supported by Thailands elite establishment.

For a second day, hundreds of anti-coup protesters defied the militarys ban on large gatherings and shouted slogans and waved signs outside a Bangkok cinema. Dozens of soldiers with riot shields stood nearby but so far did not move in to stop them. Deputy army spokesperson Colonel Weerachon Sukondhapatipak said that all the detained politicians were being well-treated and that the aim of the military was to achieve a political compromise.

This is in a bid for everybody who is involved in the conflict to calm down and have time to think, Weerachon said. We dont intend to limit their freedom but it is to relieve the pressure.

The military summoned an additional 35 people including more politicians, political activists and, for the first time, outspoken academics. One of those on the latest list, Kyoto University professor of South-east Asian studies Pavin Chachavalpongpun, said by telephone from Japan he would not turn himself in. He said that the summons meant that the junta felt insecure.

Crudest form of authoritarianism The military claiming to be a mediator in the Thai conflict, that is all just nonsense, he said. This is not about paving the way for reform and democratisation. We are really going back to the crudest form of authoritarianism, he said.

Thailands key ally, the United States, on Friday suspended $3.5-million in military aid and State Department spokesperson Marie Harf said that Washington was reviewing a further $7-million in direct US assistance. The US also recommended Americans reconsider any non-essential travel to Thailand Thailands powerful military says it launched the coup to prevent more turmoil after two days of peace talks in which neither political faction would agree to step aside in their demands.

The anti-government protesters have in recent months blocked streets in Bangkok demanding that the government step down over allegations of corruption and ties to Yinglucks brother, exiled ex-leader Thaksin Shinawatra, who was himself deposed in a 2006 military coup. Populist parties affiliated with the Shinawatras have won every election since 2001 in Thailand.

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Thailand's coup leaders keep ex-PM, Cabinet detained 'to think'