(IRIB) Thailand's military rulers have appointed as advisers two powerful retired generals with a deep antagonism towards former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is at the heart of the country's long-running political crisis.

Nearly a week after taking power in a coup d'etat , following months of anti-government protests, the military has relaxed a curfew, hoping to show things are getting back to normal.

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

General Wongsuwan, and General Paochinda are two towering figures in Thailand's military establishment and have close ties to coup leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha. All three are staunch monarchists and helped oust former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in a 2006 coup.

There have been suggestions that General Wongsuwan, and General Paochinda had secretly backed the anti-government protests that 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 remaining ministers in her government on May 22.

Also among the advisers is Pridiyathorn Devakula, overseeing the economy.

A former central banker, Pridiyathorn Devakula was finance minister in an interim government after the 2006 coup when strict capital controls were introduced to hold down the baht, Thailand's currency, causing the stock market to plunge 15% in one day.

The economy shrank 2.1% in the first quarter of 2014 as the debilitating anti-Yingluck protests damaged confidence, consumption and investment.

New data is likely to show industrial output fell for the 13th straight month in April and that imports tumbled 18.2% from a year before.

The military has also tried to stifle resistance to the coup. Scores of politicians and activists have been detained since the takeover on May 22 and censorship imposed, although a seven-hour curfew it imposed from 10pm each night will from today (Wednesday) be shortened to four hours from midnight. Former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has been released from detention, but remains under some restrictions.

The Shinawatras' strength is in the north and northeast of the country, where many of their supporters are based.

There have been daily, peaceful protests against the coup in Bangkok with crowds calling for elections and confronting soldiers on the streets of Bangkok.

Meanwhile, Thailand's military junta has disbanded the Senate and placed all law-making authority in the army chief's hands, dramatically tightening its grip on power.

General Prayuth has not set an election date, saying broad reforms were needed first. Years of political turmoil have polarised Thailand. The question many analysts are asking is whether there will be an election in Thailand anytime soon.

There are however indications that the Thai military, led by the army chief, General Prayut Chan-ocha, could be digging in for a long-term takeover of the country.

MD/SS