Thai general: Don't protest coup

Junta warns that democratic precepts presently don’t apply

BANGKOK -- The top general in Thailand's ruling junta warned people today not to join anti-coup street protests, saying normal democratic principles cannot be applied at the time.

Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha also defended the detentions of dozens of politicians and activists, most of them associated with the ousted government, with a spokesman quoting him as saying that the measure would not last more than a week and was allowed by law.

In a move apparently aimed at neutralizing critics and potential opposition, the junta also ordered dozens of activists, academics and journalists to surrender themselves to military authorities, including a prominent reporter who was summoned to report today.

The military, which is already holding most of the Cabinet ousted in a coup Thursday in secret locations, said it would keep former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and others in custody for up to a week to give them "time to think" and keep the country calm.

Starting Monday, those in detention who have arrest warrants or face criminal charges will be handed over for prosecution, said deputy military spokesman Col. Winthai Suvaree.

He also said that the general "urged every group of citizens to avoid joining the anti-coup protests because at the moment, the democratic principles cannot be executed normally."

In the three days since Thailand's first coup in eight years, it faced scattered protests that came during growing concern over the junta's intentions. On Saturday, the military dissolved the Senate -- the last functioning democratic institution left -- and absorbed its legislative powers.

"Military rule has thrown Thailand's rights situation into a free fall," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "The army is using draconian martial-law powers to detain politicians, activists and journalists, to censor media, and to ban all public gatherings. This rolling crackdown needs to come to an end immediately."

More than 150 people, mostly top politicians, have been detained incommunicado so far and banned from leaving the country, according to rights groups. Deputy army spokesman Col. Weerachon Sukondhapatipak said they were all being well-treated and the military's aim was to achieve a political compromise.

Weerachon said all those held have had their cellphones confiscated because "we don't want them communicating with other people. We want them to be themselves and think on their own."

"This is because everybody involved in the conflict needs to calm down and have time to think," Weerachon said. "We don't intend to limit their freedom -- it's to relieve the pressure."

Gen. Prayuth, who leads the junta, has justified the coup by saying the army had to act to avert violence and end half a year of political turmoil triggered by anti-government protests that killed 28 people and injured more than 800.

Although Thailand has been calm since the coup and although there is little military presence on the streets, small-scale protests against the junta have been reported in the northern city of Chiang Mai; Khon Kaen in the northeast; and the beach resort city of Pattaya, south of Bangkok.

In the capital, life largely went on as normal. But hundreds of anti-coup protesters took to the streets for a second straight day, defying an army-imposed edict banning groups larger than five from gathering for political purposes.

In the capital, about 1,000 anti-coup protesters took to the streets for a second-straight day, defying an army-imposed edict banning groups larger than five from gathering for political purposes. They were met by hundreds of soldiers, and the groups eventually dispersed.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who is 86, has been silent on the crisis. On Saturday, the office of Bhumibol's principal private secretary acknowledged receipt of a letter sent by Prayuth regarding the seizure of power, saying only that the monarch had been informed of the coup.

Multiple nations have condemned the coup. The U.S. Department of State urged "the immediate restoration of civilian rule and release of detained political leaders, a return to democracy through early elections, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms."

Washington also said it canceled ongoing military exercises and a firearms training program for the Thai police.

"While we have enjoyed a long and productive military-to-military relationship with Thailand, our own democratic principles and U.S. law require us to reconsider U.S. military assistance and engagements," said Pentagon press secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby.

The Pentagon is also canceling the June visit of U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Harry Harris to Thailand and is withdrawing the invitation to the commander general of the Royal Thai Armed Forces to visit U.S. Pacific Command in June, Kirby said.

Underscoring the challenges facing Thailand's new rulers, police on Saturday said suspected Islamic insurgents detonated at least nine bombs in the country's restive south, killing three people and wounding at least 63.

Information for this article was contributed by Kay Johnson, Grant Peck, Jocelyn Gecker and staff members of The Associated Press.

A Section on 05/25/2014

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