M A I N   N E W S

Talks fail, Thai Army seizes power in coup

Bangkok, May 22
Thailand's Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha seized control of the government in a coup on Thursday, two days after he declared martial law, saying the military had to restore order and push through reforms after six months of turmoil.

Anti-government protesters raise slogans after Army took control in Bangkok on Thursday. AFP

The military declared a 10 pm until 5 am curfew, suspended the Constitution and told outgoing Cabinet ministers to report to an army base in the north of the capital by the end of the day. Rival protest camps were ordered to disperse.

Thailand is locked in a protracted power struggle between supporters of ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra and opponents backed by the royalist establishment that has polarised the country and battered its economy. "In order for the situation to return to normal quickly and for society to love and be at peace again... and to reform the political, economic and social structure, the military needs to take control of power," Prayuth said in the televised address.

The General made his broadcast after a meeting of rival factions to find a compromise to end six months of protests, but no progress was made. — Reuters