Thai former education minister arrested by military

Thai former education minister Chaturon Chaisang was arrested by the military on Tuesday afternoon, local media reported.

Chaturon, who is a key member of the Pheu Thai party, was taken away without resistance while holding a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand in Bangkok.

A coup could not solve conflicts in a society but would only worsen them because it was non-democratic and unacceptable to the global community and most Thai people, local MCOT.net quoted Chaturon as saying at the press conference.

Chaturon told reporters that he did not accept having a coup, and then decided not to report to the NCPO, adding that he would defend his own rights.

Chaturon was among prominent figures who were summoned by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

An order issued by the NCPO states that those who fail to report to the council would face a two year imprisonment and a fine of 40,000 Thai baht (over 1,250 U.S. dollars).