Coup d'etat in Thailand just an hour ago

[Oeshon]

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729662-thailand-live-wednesday-28-may-2014/page-4#entry7897162

Detentions silence coup critics in army-ruled Thailand

Their names read out on national television, politicians, activists, academics and journalists are among scores of influential people summoned by Thailand's junta and arbitrarily held in secret locations.

Over 250 people have been called in since the army seized power and took top political figures into custody on Thursday during negotiations purporting to be aimed at navigating a path through the kingdom's debilitating political strife.

Dozens are still being held while 53 are in hiding, risking two years in prison for defying the military summons.

After days of spiriting people into undisclosed military facilities, the junta on Tuesday released footage of "Red Shirt" protest leaders to show they were safe and well.

Jatuporn Prompan appeared in the video, wearing loose white clothing and looking tired and unkempt, sitting in a bare room with a uniformed soldier.

"We do not know where we are," Jatuporn said in the clip released by the government.

The junta has defended the continuing round-up, mainly of supporters of the ousted government, and insists that those being held have not been beaten or tortured.

Academic Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a former diplomat and Thai politics researcher at Japan's Kyoto University, believes he was the only overseas-based person summoned and has declined the invitation unless the junta pay his first class airfare home.

"If I go back they could always file charges against me," he told AFP, adding that the round up was aimed at "intimidating" people.

"This is absurd. I get really angry, I have done nothing wrong," he said.

The army is really cracking down hard. A lot going on right now.

 

[Armbars]

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