US rebukes Thai military junta over coup and urges immediate elections

US defence chief uses Singapore forum to urge junta to free detainees and hold elections now

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Workers remove a Ronald McDonald mannequin from outside a McDonald's restaurant in Bangkok after it was the scene of a small gathering of anti-coup protesters. Photo: AP

Published: 2:23pm, 31 May 2014Updated: 5:00am, 1 Jun 2014

US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel yesterday urged leaders of Thailand's military coup to release detainees and hold immediate elections.

US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel demanded immediate elections and the release of detainees held by a junta. Photo: EPA

"We urge the Royal Thai Armed Forces to release those who have been detained, end restrictions on free expression and move immediately to restore power to the people of Thailand through free and fair elections," Hagel said at a top Asian security conference in Singapore.

"Until that happens, as US law requires, the [Department of Defence] is suspending and reconsidering US military assistance and engagements with Bangkok," he said at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue.

Thailand was represented in Singapore by a relatively low-level delegation that included Sihasak Phuangketkeow, permanent secretary at the foreign ministry, rather than the senior generals and defence ministry officials sent by other countries.

Adding to the pressure on the Thai junta, Canberra said yesterday that Australia has scaled back relations with the Thai military and banned coup leaders from travelling there.

"The Australian government continues to have grave concerns about the actions of the military in Thailand," Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said in a statement with Defence Minister David Johnston.