Thai junta claims it has support from neighbouring countries

June 7 Press TV

Thailand’s military government claims that it has the support of neighbouring countries such as China and Vietnam.

Army spokesman, Yongyuth Mayalarp, said on Thursday that China and Vietnam had announced their support and Myanmar said that it recognises the government. Several countries have denounced the coup carried out by army on May 22, following months of anti-government protests and violence in Thailand.

The European Union called on Thailand’s military junta to free political detainees and end censorship following the recent coup.

The military authorities have banned political gatherings of five or more people, but demonstrations against the coup have been held almost daily. The army has repeatedly warned that it will take tough action against anyone opposing its authority.

Meanwhile, the army arrested two protest leaders and launched a financial probe against former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Thursday.Tensions deepened in the country after the Constitutional Court removed Yingluck from office on May 7 for abusing power.The premier’s Pheu Thai Party, however, refused to leave power and immediately replaced Yingluck with the country’s Commerce Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan.

The military said Yingluck’s ouster was necessary to restore order and prevent further violence.Thailand’s military coup leaders have also suspended the constitution in a bid to end months of political turmoil.Anti-government demonstrations primarily erupted in Thailand after the government proposed an amnesty bill last October that could have pardoned Yingluck’s brother and former premier, Thaksin Shinawatra, setting the stage for his return to Thailand.