US for immediate polls in Thailand

SINGAPORE, May 31 (AFP):- Thailand's coup leaders faced fresh international condemnation Saturday when US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel demanded immediate elections and the release of detainees held by a junta which says there will be no polls for at least a year.
Speaking at an Asian security conference in Singapore, the Pentagon chief urged Thailand's military to free scores of people detained under martial law since generals seized power from the civilian government on May 22.
Shortly after making his comments, Thai authorities arrested one anti-coup protester in downtown Bangkok as they braced for a larger protest threatened for Sunday.
Hagel called on the junta to end its curbs on "free expression" -- which include banning political gatherings of more than five people and sweeping media controls -- and for the army to "immediately restore power to the people of Thailand" through elections.
Condemning the kingdom's "retreat from democracy" Hagel said the US had suspended its long-standing military ties with Thailand.
Australia's foreign minister on Saturday also said Canberra had reduced its "engagement" with the Thai military.
Junta chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha late Friday gave a rough timetable for a return to democracy, offering polls once a reconciliation drive across the bitterly split nation and a year-long reform period are complete.
Meanwhile, The leader of Thailand's military coup has said elections will not be held for more than a year, to allow time for political reconciliation and reform.
In a televised address, Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha called on all sides to co-operate and stop protesting.
He repeated warnings against any resistance to the military.
The Thai army seized power on 22 May, and detained senior politicians for several days saying stability had to be restored after months of unrest.
In his first public address since the coup, Gen Prayuth said: "The (ruling military regime) have a timeframe of one year and three months to move towards elections.