BANGKOK, May 29 — The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) is gradually releasing political detainees, including former ministers and key figures of Pheu Thai Party.
Among the released are Surapong Tovichakchaikul, former deputy prime minister and foreign affairs minister, Suranand Vejjajiva, former secretary-general to the prime minister, and key Pheu Thai figures Dr Prommin Lertsuridej and Dr Surapong Suebwonglee.
Meanwhile, Pheu Thai Party Secretary-General Phumtham Vechayachai, posted on his Twitter account (@phumtham) on Thursday afternoon that he had been released by the NCPO after he was summoned to a military facility on May 23.
He said he returned home safely today and that he had been treated according to standard procedures by the army during detention. In his later posts, he expressed gratitude to those sending him best wishes and hoped for peace to return to the country soon.
Sondhi Limthongkul, former leader of the People’s Alliance for Democracy, has been be released today as well.
The NCPO opened the Royal Thai Army auditorium in Bangkok’s Thewes area to receive those whom it has additionally summoned, including academic Weerapat Pariyawong, who failed to turn himself in today. He said through Facebook that he had to do his business in England and would like to offer information to the NCPO by telephone.
Army deputy spokesman Col Winthai Suvaree said the NCPO was not appointing a prime minister or cabinet ministers for the time being because it had to restore national peace, resolve people’s hardships and establish reconciliation centres first.
He said the NCPO bans financial transactions of those who ignore its summons and it is seeking them, including those who fled the country.
Col Winthai also warned anti-coup demonstrators at the Victory Monument in Bangkok that they are violating law by rallying, damaging government property and physically attacking officers and they would face decisive legal action. The NCPO now bans the demonstrations that incite unrest.
