US ATTACKS MILITARY FOR DETENTIONS

The US State Department has called on the government to stop summoning and detaining political figures, academics, journalists, online commentators and peaceful protesters following the detention of a Pheu Thai legal expert.

The department said it is deeply troubled by the detention of government critics after Ruangkrai Leekitwattana was held over a letter addressed to a US diplomat in Bangkok.

The State Department expressed its concern after learning that Mr Ruangkrai, a former senator, had been held at an army camp since Tuesday. He was released yesterday.

He was summoned after sending an open letter to US Embassy charge d’affaires W Patrick Murphy. The letter criticised the military government installed after the May coup.

National Council for Peace and Order spokesman Winthai Suvaree said yesterday the government had merely invited politicians and academics to talk and reach mutual understanding given the current political circumstances.

Col Winthai said it was not detention and Mr Ruangkrai is free. “I suggest his family contact him since he has been released,” Col Winthai said, but refused to provide details of when.

Mr Ruangkrai was invited for an “attitude adjustment” by the 11th Military Circle on Tuesday. A military source quoted by local media said he had promised to be careful about expressing political opinions.

The talks between Mr Ruangkrai and the authorities concluded with “good understanding” and he would not face any charges, the source said.

In his letter to the US embassy, Mr Ruangkrai criticised the impeachment proceedings against ousted prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who also faces a criminal trial after public prosecutors decided to indict her in the Supreme Court for dereliction of duty over the rice-pledging scheme.

Political activist Sombat Boonngamanong, also known as “Bor Kor Lai Jud” (spotty editor) or “Nu Ring”, said military officers had arranged to visit his house today.

He said the military had asked to have a general conversation with him, but he believed it was likely to specifically focus on his political opinions.

The activist, who leads the Red Sunday group, has made references to martial law and the forged Royal Household Bureau statement on his Facebook page recently.