By TOM VANDEN BROOK
The Pentagon announced Saturday it is suspending exercises with Thailand’s military and called on officials to restore democratic rule after a bloodless coup there on Thursday.
The Defense Department also canceled a series of events planned with the Thai military. Meanwhile, the crisis in Thailand deepened Saturday as the military junta began detaining academics. It is already holding members of the government, including Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and some protesters.
“As we have made clear, it is important that the Royal Thai Armed Forces end this coup and restore to the people of Thailand both the principles and the process of democratic rule, including a clear path forward to elections,” Rear Adm. John Kirby, Pentagon press secretary, said in a statement Saturday.
“While we have enjoyed a long and productive military-to-military relationship with Thailand, our own democratic principles and US law require us to reconsider US military assistance and engagements.”
The Pentagon also canceled a visit in June to Thailand by US Pacific Fleet commander Adm. Harry Harris.
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