Two days after declaring martial law in Thailand, army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha announced he was taking over officially.
In a national broadcast, he explained his objective.
(SOUNDBITE) (Thai) ARMY CHIEF GENERAL PRAYUTH CHAN-OCHA SAYING:
"To reform the social structure economically, socially and in other ways, to create equality for everybody and for every side. The peace-maintaining committee which consists of the army, navy and air force as well as the national police has to take control of power to administrate the country from 22nd of May 2014 onward."
Hundreds of soldiers surrounded the meeting at Bangkok's Army Club shortly before announcement and could be seen confiscating weapons.
Earlier in the week, Chan-ocha called rival factions to a meeting --- whose goal he said was to end the protests and violence that have gripped the country. That ended with no agreement.
Shortly after Thursday's coup was confirmed, the military issued a national cur
