ສົນທະນາທົ່ວໄປ

Protesters in Thailand have attacked soldiers and riot police with bins, bottles and metal gates as they demand an end to the military coup.

Last Thursday the Thai army took power in a bloodless coup, throwing members of the old political elite in jail and handing power to General Prayuth Chan-ocha.

Since then soldiers have imposed a night-time curfew, banned protests and 'provocative' statements on social media, and begun imprisoning journalists, politicians and scholar who were critical of the takeover. There was alarm on Wednesday when Facebook was blocked for a few hours.

But hundreds of demonstrators defied the new rules gathered again Wednesday at Bangkok's Victory Monument roundabout to demand an end to the new military rule.

 

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Hundreds of activists in Thailand defied a ban on protest today to demonstrate against a coup which has handed power in the country to the military (pictured: a solider, right, is hit in the face with a bottle)

 

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Since taking power last Thursday, the military have banned protests and provocative statements on social media, and locked up around 50 journalists, politicians and scholars who criticised the takeover

 

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Demonstrators hurled bins, bottles and metal railings at lines of riot soldiers at Bankok's Victory Monument

Activists hurled bottles and bins at armed soldiers and police carrying riot shields, and spray-painted an army truck with the words 'No coup'.

One military policeman was pictured as a bottle of water struck him in the face, knocking his helmet off, while another was pictured on the ground unconscious after being hit by another projectile.

The army takeover, Thailand's second in eight years, deposed an elected government that had insisted for months that the nation's fragile democracy was under attack from protesters, the courts, and finally the military.

The army said it acted to restore order after seven months of protests that triggered sporadic violence in which at least 28 people were killed and more than 800 injured in grenade attacks, gun fights and drive-by shootings.

At the center of Thailand's deep political divide is Thaksin Shinawatra, a former prime minister supported by many rural Thais for his populist programs but despised by others - particularly Bangkok's elite and middle classes - over allegations of corruption, abuse of power and disrespect for the monarchy.

 

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A green military truck was painted with the words 'No coup' as demonstrators demand General Prayuth Chan-ocha hands power back to politicians

 

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The activists are being lead by the Redshirts, a group loyal to the previous government who vowed to take action if the military ever came to power

He was ousted in 2006 and lives abroad, but held great influence over the overthrown government, which had been led by his sister until a court ousted her this month.

The latest round of protests have been lead by the Redshirts, who were loyal to the last government and threatened action if the military took power for themselves.

Among those freed Wednesday were five leaders of the Redshirt movement, including Jatuporn Prompan, who was seized last Thursday when the coup unfolded.

Jatuporn was featured in an army video ordered broadcast on all stations earlier Wednesday.

The junta said the video, in which five detainees can be seen talking to army officers, was meant to prove to the public that detainees are being treated well.

Three of those in jail were freed Wednesday, but two were not, ex-Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Pomnonk and a former lawmaker from the Democrat Party who had publicly criticised the coup.

 

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Scuffles broke out between the military and protesters after a man was arrested at the end of a rally

 

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The army has been issuing contracts to any activist released from prison, making the promise not to use provocative language, and threatening them with further jail time if they refuse

 

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The army takeover is Thailand's second in eight years, with General Chan-ocha insisting somebody had to take action after months of protests in the capital of Bangkok

Kokaew Pikulthong, a Red Shirt leader who was among those released, later said: 'We were treated OK. It was not fancy, but it was a livable condition.'

He said he had no idea where they were because they were blindfolded while they were taken to and from the undisclosed location.

'Like everyone, we had to sign the release form saying we will not engage in any activities that could incite division or violence in the country,' Kokaew said.

Weerachon confirmed the conditions of release, saying the detainees had to sign forms saying they would not to do anything 'provocative or anything that has a negative impact on national security.'

Anyone who supports political activities or violates the other conditions can be prosecuted, he said.

A curfew remains in effect, although it was shortened Wednesday to midnight to 4 a.m., from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. earlier.

The curfew has not affected critical travel, including that of tourists arriving at airports.