Thailand’s army has staged a coup to oust the government and imposed a curfew following months of political unrest. It comes two days after the imposition of martial law.
Before the takeover was announced, hundreds of soliders surrounded the location where the leader of the pro-government “red shirt” movement was taking part in peace talks.
Shortly afterwards, in a televised statement, the deputy army spokesman ordered the acting prime minister and his cabinet to report to a military compound north of Bangkok.
The move came after a meeting between Thailand’s rival factions in the country’s drawn-out conflict.
No progress was made and army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha reportedly wound up the gathering by declaring he was seizing power.
The Thai army has a long history of intervening in politics, most recently when Thaksin Shinawatra was deposed in 2006.
At least 28 people have been killed and 700 injured since the anti-government protests erupted late last year.
