BANGKOK (DPA) — Diplomatically spurned by the US and Western European countries over its military coup in May, Thailand's ruling junta is looking elsewhere for friends.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev's visit to Thailand on Wednesday marked the first time a leader from outside Asia has visited the country since the military took power.

Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha (R) shakes hands with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev (L) at the end of their joint news conference at Government House in Bangkok, Thailand, 08 April 2015. EPA/RUNGROJ YONGRIT

Medvedev is an "old friend," Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said, and characterized their meeting as "very important."

"Warming up to Moscow lends the Prayuth government significant short-term leverage against the West," said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, the head of the Institute for Securities and International Studies think tank in Bangkok.

"For Thailand under the military regime, Russia represents another geostrategic hedge [against] Western criticisms."

At the same time that Prayuth was hosting Medvedev in Thailand, Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan was in Beijing to boost defence ties.

China was the first major power to acknowledge Thailand's military regime.

They were to discuss the purchase of submarines for the Thai navy as well as joint military exercises between the two nations.

Closer defence ties with China are seen by analysts as a response to cooler relations with the US. Washington scaled down its involvement in the annual Cobra Gold exercises that is hosted by Thailand each February.

Prayuth remarked before his meeting with Medvedev that Thailand was interested in purchasing Russian arms.

"The coup represented a unique opportunity for both China and Russia," said Pavich Supapipat, a government policy analyst at advisory firm Vriens & Partners.

"For years, Thailand was the only US ally on mainland South-East Asia but the friction brought about by the coup has let Russia and China move in to fill the void."

But the military government is due to be in place for another year before it returns Thailand to civilian rule, and Pavich argues that any foreign policy shifts are only temporary.

"The Thai government's recent embrace of China and warm welcome of Russia are likely to be short-term, expedient moves to counter Western posturing," agrees Thitinan.

Both analysts warn that short-term measures could have long-term effects for one of the United States' oldest allies in the region.

"The military has to balance its need to be recognized with the long-terms needs of the country," Pavich argues. "Otherwise we risk damaging a very good friendship."

"Thailand is playing a costly game in cosying up to these authoritarian powers," Thitinan said.

(Reporting by Cod Satrusayang, dpa) 

BANGKOK — Thailand’s military junta issued an order on Wednesday evening granting Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha and his Cabinet members the power to request military assistance with law enforcement duties.

According to the order, which was published in a Royal Gazette broadcast on national television, the measure is intended to "increase the efficiency in the enforcement of laws that protect the public interest."

The order states that Cabinet ministers, all of whom were chosen by junta chairman Gen. Prayuth, can request the assistance of military officers  from the Minister of Defense, who is also a junta member.

Those officers will be granted the same powers as police, and must act in accordance with existing laws. However, civilian officials will be required to "cooperate with the military officers." Refusing to cooperate will be considered a violation of disciplinary regulations, the order states.

The order marks the second time Gen. Prayuth has invoked Article 44 of the interim constitution, which grants him essentially unlimited power to intervene in national affairs.

Gen. Prayuth, who came to power in a coup last May, did not directly use his powers under Article 44 until last week, when he invoked the clause to to retain key components of martial law after repealing it on 1 April. He cited the Article to issue a 14-part order maintaining the military's authority to detain individuals without charge, ban political gatherings, and try civilians in martial court, among other powers.

Gen. Prayuth also said he would use the Article 44 to "swiftly" solve national problems, such as land encroachment and human trafficking.

The order released tonight listed "encroachment on public land and national parks, and the usage of public space that blocks traffic and creates a nuisance among the people," as examples of issues that military officers will be assigned to help quell.

Article 44 has been strongly condemned by international human rights agencies and democratic governments, who say the law grants Gen. Prayuth a dangerous amount of unchecked power. 

"Normally I would warmly welcome the lifting of martial law," the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said last week. "But I am alarmed at the decision to replace martial law with something even more draconian, which bestows unlimited powers on the current Prime Minister without any judicial oversight at all. This clearly leaves the door wide open to serious violations of fundamental human rights."

In response to the criticism, the junta has promised not to abuse the law or violate human rights. Gen. Prayuth and other junta leaders have repeatedly said that "good people" have nothing to fear. 

(Reporting by Sally Mairs)

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BANGKOK — A top Redshirt leader says he will comply with the junta's orders to scale back an event planned for Friday to commemorate the Redshirt protesters who were killed in the 2010 military crackdown.

BANGKOK (DPA) — Thailand and Russia signed bilateral agreements to combat drug trafficking, boost investment and develop the Thai energy sector Wednesday.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev met his Thai counterpart Prayuth Chan-ocha in Bangkok to strengthen ties.

Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha (R) shakes hands with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev (L) at the end of their joint news conference at Government House in Bangkok, Thailand, 08 April 2015. EPA/RUNGROJ YONGRIT

Russia will lend expertise in the military and civil aviation industries.

"Thailand is a close friend in the Asia Pacific region and we have long diplomatic relations. In two years we will mark our 120 years of relations," Medvedev said.

He said he had extended an invitation to Prayuth to visit Russia in the coming months.

"Friends prove their worth when one is in trouble. Friends will help and understand," said Prayuth, who has courted Beijing and Moscow after being spurned by Western countries for seizing power in a coup.

"I thank you Russia for understanding."