PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha is threatening to take legal action against politicians who violate National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) orders and announcements, insisting that these individuals will continue being “invited” for attitude-adjustment sessions for as long as they stir up unrest.

“Now, [NCPO] orders are law. But if you like how the country was before [the 2014 coup], then be my guest,” Prayut declared at his weekly news briefing yesterday.

The prime minister said he had told security officials to keep an eye on all political movements, and even ban the public voicing of opinions, especially by politicians, if necessary.

He said that politicians, despite their push for freedom, actually wished to be detained as they wanted to gain international attention to pressure the military-led regime.

“But I won’t let the world pressure us. I know that’s what they [the opposing side] want. They want us to continue detaining them, and I will continue doing so,” the PM said.

Prayut‘s response follows the detention of key Pheu Thai Party member and former commerce minister Watana Muangsook on Monday. This is the fourth time that Watana has been taken in for an “attitude adjustment” session since the junta seized power on May 22, 2014.

“He has been given so many chances, but he still chooses to violate laws,” Prayut said.

After, a political group calling themselves Resistant Citizen gathered at Victory Monument, calling for the release of Watana. They were led by Anon Nampa, 31 and Sirawith Serithiwat, 24 and Nattapat Akhad, who wore white shirts in a symbolic protest.

Metropolitan Police Division One deputy chief Col Attawit Saisueb led a company of anti-riot police to the area. The three protest leaders were rounded up and escorted to Phaya Thai police station, where their details were recorded. Officials from the 11th Military Circle then took them away.

About 50 protesters followed the three to the police station and sang songs about liberty. They lit candles and set up a table to seek signatures for opponents of the charter draft.

Watana’s family, meanwhile, has filed petitions with embassies and international organisations to push for his release.

Prayut said the Foreign Ministry had been told to explain the issue to embassies and international groups.

“They say we abused their rights, but did he [Watana] violate laws? Don’t they worry about that? All wrongdoers have to be punished equally,” Prayut said.

The NCPO has said it is not detaining Watana over charges of criticising the draft charter, but for breaking pacts he signed with the junta before being released from detention previously, a source said.

Watana reported at the 11th Army Circle base in Bangkok on Monday and has been detained at the 9th Infantry Division in Kanchanaburi.

NCPO spokesman Colonel Winthai Suvaree said the junta’s Announcement No 39/2557 specified that people summoned for “attitude adjustment” needed to sign a pact acknowledging the NCPO and promising to cooperate with it. Watana has signed this pact three times already – every time he was taken in for attitude adjustment – yet he continues staging political stunts, Winthai complained. “Watana initially cooperated, but his behaviour has changed, so we will have to call him to come to an understanding and provide greater cooperation.”

He added that Watana had not been detained this time for speaking against the draft charter. “That’s within his personal rights. Many people including Watana have shown signs of rejecting the draft charter as soon as it was completed.”

He also denied that Watana’s detention violated human rights, saying the junta was only enforcing the law and had been treating him with respect and dignity. “He has never been treated like a convict,” he said.

A source said Watana had violated the pact by discussing political issues with the press and posting political messages on social media.

Watana has been detained under the NCPO Announcement No 3/2557 this time, under which it will file a police complaint against him to press charges that carry a maximum jail term of 21 years and Bt40,000 in fines or both under Announcement No 39/2557.

Police are seeking Military Court approval to detain the politician.

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, meanwhile, insists that Watana’s detention does not depict double standards and is not a violation of human rights.

“Don’t worry, he’s living well and we are taking care of him,” he said. “The government has sovereignty and we are asking for time and cooperation to run the country. We have already announced that a general election will be held next year. Don’t worry, Watana’s case will not blow things out of proportion.”

Another NCPO source said security officials had invited Watana’s family over to explain why he was being detained, providing documents that he had signed. He may end up being held no more than seven days, the source added.