Thai Army Chief announces official coup in Thailand
- 5 years ago
Thailand's army chief has announced his armed forces are taking control of the government following months of deadly clashes.
General Prayut Chan-O-Cha 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.
A nationwide curfew from 10pm to 5am has been imposed, and all TV and radio stations have been ordered to stop normal programmes and only broadcast army material.
Troops are now escorting protesters away from rally sites in the capital Bangkok - the scene of six months of violence that has left 28 people dead and shrunk the Thai economy by 2.1%.
Troops pictured on the streets of Thailand on Thursday 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.
Thai soldiers have set up checkpoints in the country
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 Prayut Chan-O-Cha said his forces would "provide protection" for foreigners in Thailand, which is visited by around one million Britons a year.
For More information on this news visit : http://www.newsx.com/
Connect with us on Social platform at : http://www.facebook.com/newsxonline
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel : http://www.youtube.com/newsxlive
General Prayut Chan-O-Cha 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.
A nationwide curfew from 10pm to 5am has been imposed, and all TV and radio stations have been ordered to stop normal programmes and only broadcast army material.
Troops are now escorting protesters away from rally sites in the capital Bangkok - the scene of six months of violence that has left 28 people dead and shrunk the Thai economy by 2.1%.
Troops pictured on the streets of Thailand on Thursday 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.
Thai soldiers have set up checkpoints in the country
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 Prayut Chan-O-Cha said his forces would "provide protection" for foreigners in Thailand, which is visited by around one million Britons a year.
For More information on this news visit : http://www.newsx.com/
Connect with us on Social platform at : http://www.facebook.com/newsxonline
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel : http://www.youtube.com/newsxlive