Thai military ramps up \\\'attitude adjustment\\\' for critics

BANGKOK, Jan 30 (AFP): A prominent leader of the opposition Red Shirt movement and a former minister Friday became the latest critics of Thailand's junta forced to report to barracks for "attitude adjustment" as the military ramps up its campaign against dissent.
Nattawut Saikuar, secretary-general of the movement loyal to ousted premier Yingluck Shinawatra, and Pichai Naripthaphan, a former energy minister in her government, were both ordered to appear before the military after publicly criticising the regime.
So-called "attitude adjustment" sessions are used by the military to haul in those deemed to be uncooperative with Thailand's generals, who imposed martial law and took over in a coup last May.
At least five people-three former ministers, a Red Shirt leader and Yingluck's lawyer-have now been ordered to report this week.
Thailand's junta has moved swiftly to stamp out any renewed criticism of their rule following the retroactive impeachment of Yingluck last week and after a top US diplomat made critical comments on Monday that infuriated the generals.
The military insist the summons are simply invites-though in reality any refusal to cooperate would likely lead to significant censure.