Army chief detains Yingluck, ministers

Army chief detains Yingluck, ministers

Former premier Yingluck Shinawatra and most ex-cabinet ministers were detained by army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha after having reported to the National Peace and Order Maintaining Council (NPOMC) on Friday, a highly placed army source has confirmed.

Ms Yingluck, who has hardly made any public appearances since she was stripped of her role as prime minister by the Constitutional Court, turned up at the Army Auditorium in Bangkok's Thewes area around noon after the coup-makers issued announcements demanding she and 154 others report yesterday.

The ex-prime minister spent about 15 minutes at the venue before she was "asked" to go to the 1st Division, King's Guard base, which is opposite the auditorium. She reportedly met army commander and NPOMC chairman Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha there.

According to the source, Ms Yingluck was subsequently detained after that at an army installation. Her entourage was told to bring back some of her clothes and necessary medicines. She was still being detained as of press time.

Most former cabinet ministers who also turned up yesterday in response to the summons were also detained in undisclosed locations.

The source said only those who have health problems were allowed to return home.

The 155 individuals summoned by the coup-makers are largely key Pheu Thai members, pro-government and anti-government protest leaders, and former high-ranking military and police officers known to have affiliations with Pheu Thai.

They have also been banned by the NPOMC from leaving the country.

In its 21st announcement, the NPOMC said the 155 individuals who were summoned must not travel abroad and they are required to report to the NPOMC or face arrest and prosecution.

Among the former cabinet ministers who turned up on Friday were former acting caretaker prime minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan, former deputy prime minister Phongthep Thepkanchana, former energy minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal, former deputy defence minister Gen Yuthasak Sasiprapa, and former deputy commerce minister Yanyong Phuangrach.

Those from Pheu Thai included Suranand Vejjajiva, Noppadon Pattama, Somchai Wongsawat, and Bhokin Bhalakula.

Anchalee Paireerak, Suriyasai Katasila and Nitithon Lamlau were among key figures from the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) who yesterday streamed into the auditorium.

Issara Somchai, who was not summoned to report to the NPOMC, said the PDRC leaders who were not detained would turn themselves in at the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to acknowledge charges against them on Monday.

He said the move was in "good faith" to show that the PDRC leaders do not have any intention of fleeing and they will fight the charges in court.

Meanwhile, the army yesterday released former agriculture minister Yukol Limlaemthong, former tourism and sports minister Somsak Phurisisak and former industry minister Prasert Boonchaisuk. All had been detained since Thursday.

Mr Somsak said the army had taken good care of them.

The situation the day after the coup was relatively calm.

Shortly after 6pm, all free-to-view television stations resumed broadcasting, about 25 hours after being blacked out by the military.

Troops on Friday continued to clear protest sites occupied by the Network of Students and People for Reform Thailand and seized a number of weapons, including tear gas canisters, hand-made guns and ping-pong bombs.

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