Thai army disbands Senate, intensifies post-coup crackdown

The military junta summoned 35 more people, including political activists and, for the first time, academics, to “maintain peace and order.” It was not clear whether they would be detained.

Deputy army spokesman Col Weerachon Sukondhapatipak said that all the detained politicians were being well-treated and that the aim of the military was to achieve a political compromise.

“This is in a bid for everybody who is involved in the conflict to calm down and have time to think...We don't intend to limit their freedom but it is to relieve the pressure,” Weerachon said.

The army staged the coup - the 12th since the end of the absolute monarchy in 1932 - after it failed to forge a compromise between political rivals to end nearly seven months of political conflict that left Thailand in limbo.

Sporadic protests spread in the capital for a second day today as hundreds of anti-coup demonstrators defied the military's ban on large gatherings and staged a protest, but they were surrounded by soldiers and police.  The army has deployed soldiers to clear protesters and enforce martial law on the streets here.

Gen Prayuth, who has appointed himself the new Prime Minister, is expected to remain in the role for the immediate future, a source close to the coup leader said, Bangkok Post reported.