Thailand's Army Chief Announces Military Coup

Thailand's army chief has announced his forces are taking control of the government following months of deadly clashes.

General Prayuth Chan-ocha said on live TV: "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."

He added: "All Thais must remain calm and government officials must work as normal."

General Prayuth Chan-ocha made the announcement on national television

The National Peace Keeping Committee that imposed martial law on Tuesday will now take full control of the country to prevent the conflict escalating, he said.

General Prayuth said the constitution is being suspended, and all cabinet ministers must report to the military by the end of the day.

Red Shirt supporters are told to leave a protest site outside Bangkok

A nationwide curfew from 10pm to 5am has been imposed, and meetings of more than five people banned.

In addition, all TV and radio stations have been ordered to stop normal programmes and only broadcast army material.

Thai soldiers reportedly fired into the air to disperse thousands of pro-government Red Shirt protesters, who gathered in western Bangkok after the coup was announced.

In the past six months of violence, 28 people have been killed and the Thai economy has shrunk by 2.1%.

Thai soldiers have set up checkpoints in the country

The coup - the country's 19th since the fall of absolute monarchy in 1932 - follows two days of meetings between rival political leaders that failed to break the deadlock.

Politicians at the talks, held at a heavily-guarded military HQ in Bangkok, were seen being taken away by soldiers.

It was unclear whether they had been formally detained.

The coup is Thailand's 19th since the fall of absolute monarchy in 1932

Acting Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan - who replaced Yingluck Shinawatra after she was removed from office by the Thai Supreme Court earlier this year - did not attend because he was busy, according to a government official.

General Prayuth said his forces would "provide protection" for foreigners in Thailand, which is visited by around one million Britons a year.

British ambassador to Thailand Mark Kent said: "British citizens should exercise extreme caution and follow travel advice and media updates."

On Wednesday, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon issued a statement urging "full respect for democratic principles and engagement in democratic processes", while the European Union called for "a clear timetable" for a snap election.

Red Shirt supporters of deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was toppled in a coup, and his sister Yingluck, have been on the streets since November last year.

They are in a bitter dispute with Yellow Shirts, comprised mostly of the pro-establishment with quiet backing from Thailand's powerful monarchy.

The Yellow Shirts are demanding political reforms ahead of elections which had been scheduled for later this year. 

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