The two men have been in military custody since Tuesday night when the Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy (CDRM) staged a coup to overthrow the government. They were not allowed to make phone calls to Thaksin, said a source.

Chidchai and Prommin, as well as other key figures in the deposed government, will be kept in military custody until after a new government is formed, the source said.

Yesterday, several of the two men's colleagues from the Thai Rak Thai Party asked to visit them at the military establishment but were denied permission.

Veera Musigapong, a party executive member, said: "We just want to meet our friends because we miss them. We just want to make sure they are fine."

Trusted Thaksin allies, First Infantry Division commander Maj-General Prin Suwanthat and Second Cavalry Division commander Maj-General Sanit Phrommas, have been under military detention in their barracks.

Newin Chidchob and Yongyuth Tiyapairat, key political strategists who worked with the deposed prime minister and members of his Cabinet, were detained yesterday after they surrendered to the council at the Army Command, the coup-makers' headquarters. Both men were instrumental in building up Thaksin's support in rural areas. The council on Wednesday ordered Newin and Yongyuth to give themselves up by noon yesterday, but did not specify what actions would be taken against them if they failed to comply.