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Thailand under curfew amid army coup Thailand under curfew amid army coup
(about 2 hours later)
A curfew has begun across Thailand after the army announced it had taken control and suspended the constitution following months of political turmoil. A curfew is in place across Thailand after the army announced it had taken control and suspended the constitution following months of political turmoil.
The army chief imposed the 22:00 to 05:00 curfew, along with a ban on political gatherings and suspension of normal television programming. Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha imposed the 22:00 to 05:00 curfew along with a ban on political gatherings.
Key political figures have been detained and others ordered to report to the military. Key political figures were detained while others, including the acting PM and ex-PM Yingluck Shinawatra, were ordered to report to the military.
The army said it needed to restore order and enact political reforms.The army said it needed to restore order and enact political reforms.
It declared martial law on Tuesday but then gathered political leaders together for talks on the crisis. It declared martial law on Tuesday and gathered political leaders together in Bangkok for talks on the crisis.
However, army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha went on air on Thursday to announce the coup. However, Gen Prayuth went on TV on Thursday to announce the coup.
Several key figures at the talks, including opposition protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban and pro-government protest leader Jatuporn Prompan, were detained.Several key figures at the talks, including opposition protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban and pro-government protest leader Jatuporn Prompan, were detained.
Acting PM Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisan was not at the talks and his whereabouts are unclear. However, he and all cabinet ministers, along with ex-PM Yingluck Shinawatra, were ordered to report to the military. Acting PM Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisan was not at the talks and his whereabouts are unclear.
'In the dark' His adviser, Paradorn Pattanathabutr, told Associated Press: "The rest of us who are outside are still fine and in safe places."
Protest groups in and around Bangkok have been dispersed but the operations are reported to have been largely peaceful. Analysis: BBC's Jonah Fisher in Bangkok:
One key flashpoint was the pro-government "red shirt" protest camp on Bangkok's western outskirts. For many of the opposition PDRC's supporters, a coup is the end result they had been hoping for.
At the scene: The BBC's Jonah Fisher in Bangkok: But questions remain. Did Gen Prayuth really expect to achieve success in talks in two short meetings? Or was it always his intention to make a token nod towards negotiations before stepping in?
The military has been consolidating its position over the past several hours. Could the talks really have been a ruse to get all the key leaders in one place before detaining them?
There aren't soldiers all over Bangkok tonight. It is a lot quieter, but that is because of the curfew. The way martial law has been handled over the past two days has not involved large deployments of soldiers - that has not been deemed necessary. There has been some suggestion that elements within the Thai army may have forced his hand.
The military has concentrated its efforts around the protest camps - both pro- and anti-government - and that is what we have seen this evening. That is where it has deployed soldiers to the biggest effect, trying to make sure there is no reaction there to the declaration that the military is now in control. The rush from martial law to full-blown coup has left many here shaking and scratching their heads.
Questions remain about sudden takeoverQuestions remain about sudden takeover
Mr Niwatthamrong and all his cabinet ministers, along with two former PMs - Ms Yingluck and Somchai Wongsawat - were ordered to report to the military. Some 23 members of the ruling Puea Thai party have been summoned in all.
The US led international calls condemning the coup.
'We weren't scared'
Protest groups in and around Bangkok have been dispersed but the operations were reported to have been largely peaceful.
One key flashpoint was the pro-government "red shirt" protest camp on Bangkok's western outskirts.
Hundreds of troops blocked cars from getting within 2km (1.2 miles) of the site - which was left eerily quiet as protesters packed up.Hundreds of troops blocked cars from getting within 2km (1.2 miles) of the site - which was left eerily quiet as protesters packed up.
One of them, Eungkan, told Reuters news agency: "The troops came, the leaders left. We weren't scared. This coup will not help anyone; it won't help this country." One of them, Eungkan, told Reuters news agency: "The troops came, the leaders left. We weren't scared. This coup will not help anyone."
Reuters also quoted Phuttiphong Khamhaengphon, a red shirt leader from the north-eastern town of Khon Kaen as saying: "We are completely in the dark. We haven't had any orders or coordination yet."
Anti-government protesters were also seen packing up in central Bangkok.Anti-government protesters were also seen packing up in central Bangkok.
There was heavy traffic on the streets of the capital as the curfew deadline loomed but they are now largely deserted.There was heavy traffic on the streets of the capital as the curfew deadline loomed but they are now largely deserted.
The army has staged at least 12 coups since the end of the absolute monarchy in 1932.
One Bangkok flower seller, Pinkaew Pipatada, 65, was witnessing a fourth coup and said: "I hope the soldiers have come out this time to solve the problem once and for all."
Television has been restricted to broadcasts by the military. The BBC, CNN and other channels are off air.Television has been restricted to broadcasts by the military. The BBC, CNN and other channels are off air.
The military issued a second bulletin in the afternoon, spelling out the key points of the takeover: The military issued a bulletin in the afternoon, spelling out the key points of the takeover:
Key coup conditionsKey coup conditions
The UN responded to the coup by expressing "serious concern", with Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urging a "prompt return to constitutional, civilian, democratic rule".The UN responded to the coup by expressing "serious concern", with Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urging a "prompt return to constitutional, civilian, democratic rule".
US Secretary of State John Kerry said the coup would have "negative implications" for US-Thai relations, particularly in the military sphere. US Secretary of State John Kerry said there was "no justification for this military coup".
The US said up to $10m in bilateral assistance could be suspended.
The UK urged "all sides to put aside their differences, and adhere to the values of democracy and the rule of law".The UK urged "all sides to put aside their differences, and adhere to the values of democracy and the rule of law".
French President Francois Hollande condemned the coup and called for early elections. The French president and German foreign minister condemned the coup, while Japan's foreign ministry termed it "regrettable".
A spokesperson for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said it was important to hold "credible and inclusive elections as soon as feasible".
The army has staged at least 12 coups since the end of the absolute monarchy in 1932.
The latest unrest began in the Thai capital late last year, when Ms Yingluck dissolved the lower house of parliament.The latest unrest began in the Thai capital late last year, when Ms Yingluck dissolved the lower house of parliament.
A court ordered her removal for alleged abuse of power this month.A court ordered her removal for alleged abuse of power this month.
Thailand has faced a power struggle since Ms Yingluck's brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, was ousted by the military as PM in 2006.Thailand has faced a power struggle since Ms Yingluck's brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, was ousted by the military as PM in 2006.
Mr Thaksin and Ms Yingluck have strong support in rural areas. They are opposed by many in the middle class and urban elite.Mr Thaksin and Ms Yingluck have strong support in rural areas. They are opposed by many in the middle class and urban elite.
Are you in Thailand? What is your reaction to the military coup? Email Haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences, using the subject Thailand.Are you in Thailand? What is your reaction to the military coup? Email Haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences, using the subject Thailand.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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