Detainees doing fine, says NCPO

The two Pheu Thai Party politicians currently detained by the National Council for Peace and Order are feeling fine, said the NCPO deputy secretary-general Chatchalerm Chalermsuk.

Former energy minister Pichai Naripthaphan and former Pheu Thai MP Karun Hosakul are in military-supervised detention at an undisclosed location, according to Gen Chatchalerm.

The two were detained last week for “attitude adjustment” sessions for being vocally critical about the government and the NCPO.

Gen Chatchalerm said the politicians have been asked to agree to stop making remarks which run counter to national reconciliation and could re-ignite social conflicts. If they agree, they will be released.

Gen Chatchalerm insisted the politicians have not been harmed.

The men have gone through attitude adjustment meetings with the NCPO before and had agreed they would not deliver antigovernment comments again. However, they reneged on the agreement, according to the NCPO.

They will be freed when their current seven-day detention period ends this week. However, they will be called back in if they “cause trouble” again.

Gen Chatchalerm insisted the NCPO would introduce tougher legal measures against them if they refuse to put their criticisms to rest.

“Everyone is entitled to their opinions. However, they should speak their minds in a constructive manner. They are free to offer recommendations but not criticism,” he said.

Earlier, the government dismissed calls for an end to the military detention of the suspects after Human Rights Watch condemned Mr Pichai’s detention.

Human Rights Watch has called on the NCPO to provide information on the whereabouts of Mr Pichai, but Maj Gen Weerachon Sukhondhapatipak, deputy government spokesman, insisted there was no need to discuss the issue with the organisation.

Mr Pichai and Mr Karun were summoned in compliance with the law and agreements made between the authorities and the men in previous meetings.