Two close aides of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday reported as ordered to the Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy (CDRM).

Former PM's Office Minister Newin Chidchob and former Natural Resources Minister Yongyuth Tiyapairat, who arrived separately, were greeted by boos and jeers from waiting protesters.

The CDRM issued an order on Wednesday summoning the two to report to the Royal Thai Army headquarters - citing peace and stability of the nation.

At 5pm yesterday, assistant spokesman for the CDRM, Colonel Akra Thiproj, said Newin and Yongyuth had been freed after the meeting.

However, Major General Verun Chantasatrakosol, secretary of the Royal Thai Army later said the two were still being detained at the office.

Both Newin and Yongyuth were known to be strong defenders of Thaksin. Newin, known as Thaksin's wizard, was the man who "fixed" Thaksin's bad luck and mobilised supporters for the deposed prime minister.

Yongyuth was known as one of Thaksin's key helpers and was allegedly organising hundreds of forestry officials to confront anti-Thaksin protesters.

Talking to reporters earlier, Newin said he was willing to give total co-operation to the CDRM to make sure the country gets back to normal.

"As the CDRM was endorsed by His Majesty the King the chaos should end now," he said. "I didn't hide to create any movements. I didn't do anything. But I admit when the coup took place, I had to seek a safe place to hide."

Newin denied he had flown to Singapore with some former ministers in order to set up a government in exile.

Newin arrived at the Army headquarters on Rajdamnoen Road at about 11.45am. As he approached the gate Newin lowered his window and smiled at waiting reporters. However, a group of people emerged and shouted curses at him. One man yelled "traitor", while others banged their fists on his van.

An hour later Yongyuth arrived and was also greeted with boos and jeers. Some started kicking his vehicle and yelling at him. Soldiers were quick to pull them away before things got out of hand.

Like Newin, Yongyuth, who had just been driven from a province on the Thai-Cambodian border, claimed he was ready to help the CDRM in the next round of political reform. "After the coup I had to hide because my house was raided and impounded by the military. My family and I were scared. I didn't organise any mobs against the coup," he said.

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation