Thai police 'drag away' three people at Bangkok protest

Thai police plucked at least three people off the streets of the capital yesterday, after they held a gathering to "exchange views" with the country's military junta.

Thailand's military has severely restricted public gatherings since seizing power in a coup last May. Taking a hard line on dissent, it has detained more than 300 people, including activists, journalists and politicians.

The leader of a group of four people, Akkarakit Noonchan, was dragged away by plainclothes officers shortly after the beginning of the event at Bangkok's Victory Monument.

Akkarakit said the event by the group, calling itself Serichon Thailand 58, was not intended as a protest.

At least two other people were detained. They had earlier displayed T-shirts depicting a bird with its beak and claws bound, in full view of police.

One person had been questioned, said Lieutenant Colonel Thepitak Saengla, the head of investigations at the nearby Phayathai police station.