Thailand coup: Military detains ex-premier Yingluck

BANGKOK: Thailand's former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra and several members of her family have been detained by Thai army leaders of the nation's military coup.

"We have detained Yingluck, her sister and brother-in-law," a senior military officer told Reuters. The two relatives have held top political posts.

"We will do so for not more than week, that would be too long. We just need to organise matters in the country first," said the officer, who declined to say where Yingluck was being held.

According to BBC, army chief Gen Prayut Chan-O-Cha also met with key officials, telling them reform must come before any elections.

Prayut summoned governors, business leaders and civil servants to the Bangkok Army Club on Friday.

He told the meeting: "I want all civil servants to help organise the country. We must have economic, social and political reforms before elections. If the situation is peaceful, we are ready to return power to the people."

Six of Thailand's most senior military officers have now been appointed to run the country, with provincial commanders supervising local government.