Thai military detains Yingluck

Thailand's new military junta on Friday detained ousted Prime Minister Yingluck, the ex-premier's aide Wim Rungwattanachinda said.

Yingluck stepped down following the ruling against her by the Constitutional Court earlier this month for nepotism. She obeyed a call by the military to appear at an army base outside Bangkok by midday. Wim said after 30 minutes, Yingluck left the facility and was taken by soldiers to another undisclosed army location.

Yingluck's successor, Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan, has also reportedly been detained.

The military said it had summoned the high-profile figures to the compound "to keep peace and order and solve the country's problems."

Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha seized control on Thursday in what he says is a bid to restore order following months of unrest.

The Reuters news agency quoted a senior military official saying, "We have detained Yingluck, her sister and brother-in-law." Both relatives have held top political posts. The official was also quoted as saying the former premier will not be held for more than a week.

There was little military presence on Bangkok's streets and life had largely returned to normal during the day in the city. A curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. was, however, still in effect.

The country's latest political unrest began on October 31 last year, when then-Prime Minister Yingluck announced new amnesty laws that seemed designed to help her brother, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Thaksin is currently living in self-imposed exile to avoid corruption charges, he was ousted in Thailand's last coup in 2006.

Since Thailand abandoned absolute monarchy in 1932, the military has staged 12 successful coups.

Aid suspended

Washington on Friday announced it was suspending $3.5 million (2.5 million euros) in aid to Thailand, which accounts for about one-third of its overall aid to the country.

State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said the US was reviewing remaining aid to look for further cuts. The US, under domestic law, is obligated to suspend assistance to foreign militaries that overthrow elected governments.

"We urge the immediate restoration of civilian rule, a return to democracy and, obviously, respect for human rights during this period of uncertainty," she said.

hc/jm (Reuters, AFP)