Yingluck Shinawatra among dozens of politicians held after being summoned to a military base following Thursday's coup.  Thailand's former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra and dozens of prominent politicians have been detained by the military a day after it took control of government.

Yingluck and Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan, her temporary replacement, were among the 39 prominent figures who on Friday reported a military facility in Bangkok.

"We are looking after them very well. They are all under detention. We want them to talk, and give them some time to relax. They are not together at the moment," he said.

However, he could not confirm their locations.  The Reuters news agency quoted another senior military official as saying Yingluck's sister and brother-in-law were among those being held. 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.

Thailand's army chief, General Prayuth Chan-ocha, seized control of the government on Thursday, two days after he declared martial law. He said the military had to restore order and push through reforms after six months of political turmoil.