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Thai coup leader dissolves Senate

24 May 2014, 16:46 -- Thailand's military junta has disbanded the country's Senate and placed all law-making in the hands of the army general who led this week's coup, the army said on Saturday.

'The Senate is dismissed. Responsibility for any laws needing the approval of the parliament or Senate will instead be assumed by the leader (of the junta),' said an announcement on national television, AFP reports.

Thai army continues crackdown after military coup, ex-PM in custody

Thailand's military has ordered 35 more people, including prominent academics, to report by Saturday afternoon as the post-coup crackdown continues. The move comes a day after the army ordered more than 100 politicians, including ex-PM Yingluck Shinawatra, to present themselves to the military council. Ms Yingluck was detained in Bangkok on Friday and spent the night in custody, the BBC reports.

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.

Ms 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.

Thai military spokesman, Col. Werachon Sukhondhadhpatipak said on Saturday that the politicians were detained to give them 'time to think'.

He refused to reveal where they were being held and said that their mobile phones had been confiscated.

Those listed on Friday, who have yet to hand themselves in, had until 16:00 local time (09:00 GMT) otherwise 'law enforcement will be decisive,' he added.

He said those named on the military's new list had until 13:00 local time (06:00 GMT) to report to the army.

Col. Werachon said the detainees were being encouraged 'to find common ground' and that the army wanted 'to change their perception'.

On Friday. army chief Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, met key officials and told them that reform must come before any elections.

Gen. Prayuth summoned governors, business leaders and civil servants to the Bangkok Army Club.

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

The BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says that, unlike in previous coups, there have been no promises of a quick return to civilian rule.

Gen. Prayuth told the meeting: 'I want all civil servants to help organise the country. We must have economic, social and political reforms before elections'.

'If the situation is peaceful, we are ready to return power to the people,' he added.

Source: http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_05_24/ Thai-coup-leader-dissolves-Senate-4939/