Thailand's military has seized power in a bloodless coup, dissolving the government, suspending the constitution and dispersing pro- and anti-govenment protesters.
Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha announced the takeover in a statement broadcast on national television. A nationwide curfew has been imposed from 10pm to 5am.
Thai soldiers stand outside the Army Club where Thailand's army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha took control of the governmentReutersThailand's army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha leaves the Army Club after a meeting with all rival factions failedReuters
Although the military insisted it isn't taking sides, its ousting of the government met the key goal of anti-government protesters.
Pro-government "Red Shirt" supporters had earlier said they wouldn't tolerate a coup, but there were no signs of resistance or reports of violence. The military provided hundreds of buses to take the protesters home.
Anti-government protesters celebrate at their camp outside Government House after Thailand's army chief announced that the armed forces were seizing powerAFPThai anti-government protesters cheer at their camp outside Government House after the army seized powerAFPAnti-government protesters leave their camp outside Government House after Thailand's army chief announced that the armed forces were seizing powerAFPThai soldiers watch as anti-government protesters board a bus to head home, from the Royal Plaza in BangkokReutersMembers of the pro-government "red shirt" group carry their belongings as leave their encampment on the outskirts of BangkokReutersA Thai soldier holds hands with a member of the pro-government "red shirt" group at an encampment in Nakhon Pathom provinceReuters
Long queues formed at the city's elevated train, subway and bus stations as panicked office workers tried to rush home before the curfew.
Commuters pack a bus as they rush home after a curfew was imposed in Bangkok following the Thai army chief's announcement that armed forces were seizing powerAFP
The army ordered the suspension of all television broadcasting and replaced programming with patriotic music to fill airtime between announcements. CNN, BBC and other cable news channels were also taken off the air.
A Thai soldier stands guard at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok after a coupReutersThai soldiers stand guard after army chief General Prayut Chan-O-Cha met with anti-government and pro-government leaders at the Army Club in BangkokAFP
