BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's police plucked at least three people off the streets of the capital on Sunday, after they held a small gathering to "exchange views" with the country's military junta.

The leader of a group of four people, Mr Akkarakit Noonchan, was dragged away by plainclothes officers shortly after the beginning of the event at Bangkok's downtown Victory Monument, according to a Reuters witness.

Mr Akkarakit told reporters the event by the group, calling itself Serichon Thailand 58, was not intended as a protest.

At least two other people were seen being detained. They had earlier displayed t-shirts depicting a bird with its beak and claws bound, as dozens of uniformed police officers stood by. One person has been questioned by the police, said Lieutenant-Colonel Thepitak Saengla, the head of investigations at the nearby Phayathai police station. He did not give further details.

Thailand's military has severely restricted public gatherings since seizing power in a coup last May. Taking a hard line on dissent, it has detained more than 300 people, including activists, journalists and politicians.