THAILAND’S new military junta abandoned any pretence of neutrality today and appointed as advisers two retired pro-royal generals known to be hostile to the Shinawatra family.

The team of advisers announced in a brief statement late on Tuesday included former defence minister General Prawit Wongsuwan and former army chief General Anupong Paochinda.

Each is a prominent figure in Thailand’s military establishment and has close ties to coup leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha. 

All three are staunch monarchists and helped to oust prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in a 2006 coup.

Generals Prawit and Anupong also secretly backed the anti-government protests that eventually undermined the government of Thaksin’s sister, Yingluck Shinawatra. 

She was removed by a court on May 7 for abuse of power and the coup ousted the remaining government ministers two weeks later.

The junta has also relaxed a seven-hour night curfew, brought in after it seized power on May 22, to four hours from midnight.

Meanwhile, a military spokesman said that of 200 people summoned by coup authorities 124 others have now been released.

Seventy-six were still being held, while another 53 people had not answered a summons.

Some pro-Shinawatra Red Shirt activists have also been detained in the provinces.

Army spokesman Winthai Suvaree said the army might soon release Red Shirt activist leaders.

Those being released would be asked to sign a document pledging that they would not organise rallies in future, he said.