Thai army declares martial law, says not a coup

2014-05-20 229

The Thai army makes it clear it's in charge of security.

This site will become more commonplace now the army's imposed martial law.

The surprise announcement came in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

The military insists it's not a coup but to preserve law and order after months of pro and anti-government protests have left nearly 30 people dead.

(SOUNDBITE) (Thai) ARMY CHIEF, PRAYUTH CHAN-OCHA, SAYING:

"To maintain peace and order and bring back peace into all groups and all sides as soon as possible, I used law section 2 and 4 on Martial law 2457, to announce martial law all over Thailand."

The law comes with sweeping powers.

The caretaker administration was not told of the decision.

The army's secured television stations, like these....and it's told 10 satellite channels -- including ones run by rival political groups -- to stop broadcasting to prevent the "distortion of news".

Troops can also be seen stationed outside the gov