Thailand military crackdown continues as U.S. halts aid

PanARMENIAN.Net - Thailand's military has ordered 35 more people, including prominent academics, to report to them by Saturday, May 24 afternoon as their crackdown continues, BBC News reported.

The move comes a day after the army ordered more than 100 politicians, including ex-PM Yingluck Shinawatra, to come to the military council. Yingluck was detained in Bangkok on Friday and spent the night in custody.

Meanwhile, the US has suspended $3.5m in military aid to Thailand and told the army to restore civilian rule. Washington also urged tourists to cancel trips and halted non-essential visits by US government officials.

Officials said Ms Yingluck would not be held for more than a week but insisted that her detention was necessary while matters in the country were organised.

Yingluck, who had been PM until being removed by the judiciary this month, was ordered to report to the military along with more than 100 other politicians, including acting PM Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisan.

Six of Thailand's most senior military officers have now been appointed to run the country, with provincial commanders supervising local government.

The United States led widespread international criticism of the coup, with Secretary of State John Kerry saying there was "no justification".