The coup was announced two days after the martial law
Thai soldiers stand guard outside an area occupied by anti-government protesters on Thursday, in Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo: AP)
Bangkok: Thailand's army chief on Thursday announced coup to restore stability after six months of anti-government protests left the country deeply paralysed.
"In order for the country to return to normal quickly the National Peace Keeping Committee comprised of the army, the Thai armed forces, the Royal Air Force and the police need to seize power as of May 22 at 4.30 pm," army chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha said.
The armed forces were seizing power, two days after the military in a surprise pre-dawn move declared martial law to maintain order in the troubled South East Asian nation, but denied it was a coup.
The military also declared a night-time curfew across the country. "Under martial law, the National Peace Keeping Committee prohibits anyone across the kingdom from leaving their home
from 10 pm to 5 am," an army spokesman said in a televised announcement.
The military ordered all television and radio stations to suspend their usual programmes and show only the army's broadcasts in the wake of the coup. The move was to ensure the release of "accurate news to the people," the spokesman said.
The army chief said that the military would "provide protection" for foreigners in Thailand. Thailand has been marred by bouts of political violence for more than seven years.
The latest round of unrest began in November, when anti-government protesters took to the streets to force Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra from the office. They accuse Yingluck of acting as a proxy for her fugitive brother, former premier Thaksin, who was ousted in a coup in 2006.
Earlier this month, a court ordered Yingluck's removal for alleged abuse of power. She was replaced by caretaker Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan.
( Source : PTI )
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