BANGKOK — Two Redshirt leaders have been released following "attitude adjustment" sessions with the military.

Nattawut Saikua, former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperative, and Chertchai Tantisirin, former Pheu Thai MP in Khon Kaen province, were summoned by the military after they publicly criticized the junta and recent political developments in Thailand.

Both Nattawut and Chertchai are also core members of the Redshirt umbrella organization, the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD). 

Nattawut Saikua leaving the 1st Region Army headquarters in Bangkok on 30 Jan 2015.

Nattawut and Chertchai are two of several Redshirt politicians that have been summoned by the military this week for criticizing the junta-appointed legislature's  impeachment of former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra last Friday. Yingluck's supporters say the impeachment ruling was a politically-motivated effort to weaken the Pheu Thai party's prospects of a winning the next national election, scheduled for 2016 at the earliest.

The military junta claims the summons were intended to "create understanding" about the political situation in Thailand.

Nattawut surrendered himself to the military at 1st Region Army headquarters in Bangkok at 9 am today. He was released several hours later. 

Posting on his official Facebook account after the meeting, Nattawut said that the military officers spoke to him about the reason for the 22 May 2014 military coup, the mission of the ruling junta, and the need for all sides to refrain from making political statements at this time. 

According to Nattawut, the military also threatened to "impose additional measures" if he refused to cooperate.

"So I told them I was willing to cooperate," Nattawut wrote. "There won't be any movements or confrontations. But as for the issue of expressing my opinion, I think that is my right, and I am ready to take responsibility for what will happen. Please understand that I say these things because I believe in them, with sincere intention for the country. I don’t have any other agenda."

He continued, "Eventually they told me, 'Well, up to you, brother, we take it that we have spoken to each other.' So I replied that if in the future there is a need to summon me again or take any measures against me, please understand that I wasn't being mischievous or disrespectful in this discussion. I am what I am."

Chertchai was released yesterday from a local military unit in Khon Kaen province after an hour long meeting. Military officers say Chertchai was summoned because he criticized Yingluck's impeachment in a Facebook post, and reportedly urged the military junta to follow an American diplomat's advice to lift the martial law in an interview with the media. 

Chertchai told reporters after the meeting that the military summoned him because they didn't want any "chaos" in the country. He added that he did not want his comments calling for the repeal of martial law to stir any unrest.

"I was only giving my straightforward opinion. I don't want the interview to instigate any chaos in Khon Kaen," Chertchai said, "So I want all brothers and sisters to focus on their daily work. The economy is not good these days. I have talked with the military, it's done. I want everything to be peaceful and all the people to have unity. I want to work without getting in politics at this time."

In the weeks following the 22 May 2014 coup, more than 300 politicians, activists, and academics perceived to be sympathetic to the former government were publicly summoned and detained in military camps for up to seven days. The wave of summons orders winded down in July. 

Unlike last year's summons, the orders given to politicians in recent days were not written into official documents or publicly announced on television.  

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Thai Junta Renews Summons Orders to Quash Criticism

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BANGKOK (DPA) — A Japanese man has successfully sued the Thai government for paternal rights for three of the 12 babies he had through surrogate mothers, an official confirmed Friday.

Mitsutoki Shigeta, 24, made headlines last year when it emerged he had paid several women in Thailand to have his babies, and was keeping them in a Bangkok apartment.

They were later taken away by Thai authorities as investigations were launched over possible human trafficking violations by Shigeta.

"We can confirm that the courts have given custody of three of the babies to Mr Shigeta," said Pornthep Rasmi, judge and secretary general at the Central Juvenile and Family Court.

"There are no pending cases over the remaining nine children," he said.

Shigeta had earlier said he wanted to produce between 100 and 1,000 babies, according to the co-founder of an organization that provides surrogacy services in Thailand and other countries.

Thailand revised its surrogacy laws last year following the Shigeta case and another scandal in which a surrogate baby with Down syndrome was left behind by an Australian couple, who took his twin sister.

A bill was then passed by the National Legislative Assembly banning commercial surrogacy in Thailand. 

BANGKOK — Thailand's ruling military junta has summoned a new round of prominent Pheu Thai politicians for "attitude readjustment" after they publicly criticized the political situation in Thailand.

In the last 24 hours, four Cabinet ministers from the administration of former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra have been ordered to report to the military. 

The four men are Surapong Tovichakchaikul, former Minister of Foreign Affairs; Nattawut Saikua, former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives; Chaturon Chaisaeng, former Minister of Education; and Pichai Naripthaphan, former Minister of Energy. 

Chaturon Chaisaeng reporting to the 1st Region Army headquarters in Bangkok, 29 Jan 2015.

Three of the four former ministers have publicly criticized last week's impeachment of former PM Yingluck by the junta-appointed parliament, either in media interviews or Facebook posts, while Pichai reportedly criticized the military government's energy policy.

Chaturon and Surapong surrendered to the 1st Region Army headquarters in Bangkok today, while Nattawut and Pichai have been ordered to report to the military tomorrow. 

In addition to condemning the impeachment ruling, Chaturon, one of the most vocal Pheu Thai politicians since the coup, recently wrote on Facebook that the party's silence tactic is no longer working.

"Staying silent and allowing those with power to do what they please will not guarantee that the country will move forward," he wrote on 19 January. "In fact, grave troubles are waiting for us in the future."

The junta’s intensified crackdown on public criticism follows last week’s ruling to impeach Yingluck and ban her from politics for five years, a move that analysts predicted would sow discontent among her supporters. Two days ago, Yingluck's legal advisor was similarly "invited" for talks with the military after he condemned the impeachment ruling.

More than 300 politicians, activists, and academics perceived to be sympathetic to the former government were publicly summoned and briefly detained in military camps in the weeks following the 22 May 2014 coup.  The wave of summons orders winded down in July. 

Chaturon is currently facing trial in martial court for his refusal to report for a summons order issued by the junta shortly after the takeover.

Unlike last year's summons, the orders given to the four politicians in recent days were not written into official documents or publicly announced on television.  Junta chairman and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha explained today that formal notices are no longer necessary.

"No need. The NCPO directly contacts and invites these people," Gen. Prayuth said, using an acronym for the junta's official name, the National Council for Peace and Order. "I don't want it to become big news. When we invite them, we use telephones to call them for talks."

He added that the politicians will not be detained overnight. "If they stay overnight, it will be a waste of the food budget," he said. "I won't let them stay."

When a reporter asked whether anyone who publicly comments on the political situation in Thailand will be summoned for "attitude readjustment," Gen. Prayuth shot back, "Is it the right thing to say those things? Is it appropriate to say them in this time? That's all. You keep making this a big issue with your questions."

When the reporter pressed Gen. Prayuth to answer, the junta chairman launched into an angry tirade.

"You will be summoned, too, if you keep asking many questions like this," he said. "You ask unconstructive questions. I want to ask you, is it a right thing to do, challenging my full power? Even though I have such full power, these people still challenge it like this. If there's no martial law, what's going to happen? You all know the answer. Do you want it to happen?"

He continued, "I know that the media wants it to happen, so that they can sell news … I am [the head of] the government. I have full power. Is it the right thing to challenge it like this? I have relaxed my power too much already these days."

Responding to a reporter who noted that the NCPO seems to be intensifying its crackdown on criticism, Gen. Prayuth shouted, "So what? So what? In the past, you said I was incompetent. Now that I am intensifying, you are angry. What the hell do you want me to do?" 

Swiftly changing the topic, the junta chairman also scolded the media for publishing a photo of him inadvertently pointing his middle finger, which appeared in Post Today.

"I am not mad on power. You don't understand it. You keep picking on me," Gen. Prayuth said. "Yesterday, for instance. How can you photograph me like that? I was pointing my finger. You bastard. You chose to photograph me pointing my finger. This is what they call a lowly mind."

BANGKOK — Thailand's ruling military junta has summoned a new round of prominent Pheu Thai politicians for "attitude readjustment" after they publicly criticized the political situation in Thailand.

In the last 24 hours, four Cabinet ministers from the administration of former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra have been ordered to report to the military. 

The four men are Surapong Tovichakchaikul, former Minister of Foreign Affairs; Nattawut Saikua, former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives; Chaturon Chaisaeng, former Minister of Education; and Pichai Naripthaphan, former Minister of Energy. 

Chaturon Chaisaeng reporting to the 1st Region Army headquarters in Bangkok, 29 Jan 2015.

Three of the four former ministers have publicly criticized last week's impeachment of former PM Yingluck by the junta-appointed parliament, either in media interviews or Facebook posts, while Pichai reportedly criticized the military government's energy policy.

Chaturon and Surapong surrendered to the 1st Region Army headquarters in Bangkok today, while Nattawut and Pichai have been ordered to report to the military tomorrow. 

In addition to condemning the impeachment ruling, Chaturon, one of the most vocal Pheu Thai politicians since the coup, recently wrote on Facebook that the party's silence tactic is no longer working.

"Staying silent and allowing those with power to do what they please will not guarantee that the country will move forward," he wrote on 19 January. "In fact, grave troubles are waiting for us in the future."

Surapong Tovichakchaikul, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, was released after talks with the military on 29 Jan 2015.The junta’s intensified crackdown on public criticism follows last week’s ruling to impeach Yingluck and ban her from politics for five years, a move that analysts predicted would sow discontent among her supporters. Two days ago, Yingluck's legal advisor was similarly "invited" for talks with the military after he condemned the impeachment ruling.

More than 300 politicians, activists, and academics perceived to be sympathetic to the former government were publicly summoned and briefly detained in military camps in the weeks following the 22 May 2014 coup.  The wave of summons orders winded down in July. 

Chaturon is currently facing trial in martial court for his refusal to report for a summons order issued by the junta shortly after the takeover.

Unlike last year's summons, the orders given to the four politicians in recent days were not written into official documents or publicly announced on television.  Junta chairman and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha explained today that formal notices are no longer necessary.

"No need. The NCPO directly contacts and invites these people," Gen. Prayuth said, using an acronym for the junta's official name, the National Council for Peace and Order. "I don't want it to become big news. When we invite them, we use telephones to call them for talks."

He added that the politicians will not be detained overnight. "If they stay overnight, it will be a waste of the food budget," he said. "I won't let them stay."

When a reporter asked whether anyone who publicly comments on the political situation in Thailand will be summoned for "attitude readjustment," Gen. Prayuth shot back, "Is it the right thing to say those things? Is it appropriate to say them in this time? That's all. You keep making this a big issue with your questions."

When the reporter pressed Gen. Prayuth to answer, the junta chairman launched into an angry tirade.

"You will be summoned too, if you keep asking many questions like this," he said. "You ask unconstructive questions. I want to ask you, is it a right thing to do, challenging my full power? Even though I have such full power, these people still challenge it like this. If there's no martial law, what's going to happen? You all know the answer. Do you want it to happen?"

He continued, "I know that the media wants it to happen, so that they can sell news … I am [the head of] the government. I have full power. Is it the right thing to challenge it like this? I have relaxed my power too much already these days."

Responding to a reporter who noted that the NCPO seems to be intensifying its crackdown on criticism, Gen. Prayuth shouted, "So what? So what? In the past, you said I was incompetent. Now that I am intensifying, you are angry. What the hell do you want me to do?" 

Swiftly changing the topic, the junta chairman also scolded the media for publishing a photo of him inadvertently pointing his middle finger, which appeared in Post Today.

"I am not mad on power. You don't understand it. You keep picking on me," Gen. Prayuth said. "Yesterday, for instance. How can you photograph me like that? I was pointing my finger. You bastard. You chose to photograph me pointing my finger. This is what they call a lowly mind."

BANGKOK — Thailand's military government has disputed an international watchdog's decision to downgrade Thailand in an annual report on freedom around the globe released today.

According to the US-based organization Freedom House, Thailand is "Not Free," alongside neighboring countries like Myanmar, Vietnam, and Cambodia. The Kingdom was ranked "Free" from 1999 to 2005, and "Partially Free" for the past eight years. 

Freedom House attributed Thailand's plunge in political rights and civil liberties to "the May military coup, whose leaders abolished the 2007 constitution and imposed severe restrictions on speech and assembly."

A map from Freedom House's 2015 report on freedom around the globe.

The report noted that the Thai junta, officially titled the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), has imposed martial law, banned public protests, intimidated the press, trampled on academic freedom, tried dissidents in military courts, and aggressively enforced lese majeste, a law that criminalizes criticism of the Thai monarchy. 

"Aggressive enforcement of Thailand’s lèse-majesté laws since the 2006 coup has created widespread anxiety and stifled freedom of expression online, in print and broadcast media, and at public events," the report reads. "The charges have been used to target activists, scholars, students, journalists, foreign authors, and politicians; they are also used by individuals against fellow citizens."

The report also noted that the junta’s government has already faced two corruption scandals: one involving the purchase ofoverpriced microphones, and the other regarding the personal wealth of Prime Minister Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha’s cabinet members.

"Critics questioned how 25 of the 33 cabinet members had become dollar millionaires when many had long served as public servants with modest salaries," the report says.

It is the first time Thailand has been rated as "Not Free" since 2007, when the Kingdom was under the administration of a military-appointed government that followed the 2006 coup. 

However, Pilaipan Sombatsiri, chairwoman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, disputed Freedom House's reading of the situation in Thailand.

In a press conference today, Pilaipan argued that Freedom House cannot rate Thailand as unfree or undemocratic "because the people are happy. They can live their lives normally."

"It depends on what Thai people think," Pilaipan said. "Don't let the outside world interfere with your thoughts too much."

This afternoon, military officials canceled an event on media freedom organized by a German NGO due to "sensitive" content, a representative from the group said.

The timing of Freedom House's report has also coincided with renewed pressure from the United States government to lift martial law and end restrictions on freedom of speech. 

"We are concerned about the significant restraints on freedoms since the coup," said US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Daniel Russel, during a public lecture in Bangkok on 26 January. "Ending martial law throughout the country and removing restrictions of speech and assembly – these would be important steps as part of genuinely inclusive reform process that reflects the broad diversity of views within the country."

Russel was the highest-level US official to visit Thailand since the 22 May coup. His speech has drawn heavy criticism from the junta and pro-coup Thais who accuse the US of interfering in Thailand's domestic issues.