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Thailand’s army in a military coup on Thursday seized power of the country, and ordered rival protestors off the streets of Thailand. The Thailand army deposed the government, hoping to end several months’ worth of political bloodshed in the country. On Tuesday, the army had declared martial law, sparking rumors of an imminent coup.
General Prayut Chan-O-Chaa announced the coup in a televised address broadcast to the nation, saying that they had to act to restore stability in the country. The military then declared a nationwide curfew between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., ordering demonstrators on both sides of the political divide in the country to disperse and go back to their homes after almost seven months of political rallies in Bangkok. The military also banned all gatherings with more than five people, summoned members of the ousted cabinet and suspended the constitution except a section related to the monarchy.
According to unconfirmed eye-witness reports, leaders of the two main political parties in Thailand and rival protest movements were taken by the military when they were convened by Prayut to talk about resolving their differences. It is unclear if the leaders have formally been detained.
The tough talking, 60-year-old Prayut, said that he took over because “the violence in Bangkok and many parts of the country that resulted in loss of innocent lives and property and was likely to escalate. All Thais must remain calm and government officials must work as normal”,Prayut said in announcement flanked by four of his officers at 5 p.m. local time.
The political crisis in the country has lasted for almost a decade, with a coup in 2006 deposing the controversial Thaksin Shinawatra. Thaksin now is Dubai to avoid prison time for a corruption conviction; however, he and his political allies still retain strong support, especially in the rural north.