Thai military tightens grip

2014-05-25 242

This protest outside a shopping centre in the Thai capital is illegal and a direct challenge to the military.

Several hundred protesters defy a ban on large gatherings and take to the streets to show their anger at the military's seizure of power last week.

They jeer and hurl abuse at the soldiers.

In response the army is trying to calm the anger by rallying businesses to help revive the country's battered economy.

Senior finance officials and the leaders of state and private commercial organisations have been summoned to meetings.

The army has also asked 18 newspaper bosses for talks, presumably to receive directions on supportive coverage.

The military's been holding the former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra and an unknown number of her ministers since Thursday. But at a news conference a spokesman insisted they are all safe.

(SOUNDBITE) (Thai) ARMY DEPUTY SPOKESMAN, WINTHAI SUVAREE, SAYING:

"As for the detention of those who report