The Army Chief General Prayuth declares coup

The Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha said today (May 22nd) that the armed forces and police had formed a National Peacekeeping Council to take power. He said the army had to restore order and push through reforms. The announcement came two days after he had declared martial law. 

Army Chief Prayuth made the announcement in a television broadcast after a seven-partite meeting aimed at finding a solution to six months of anti-government protests, had failed. 

He said the takeover would not affect international relations and that Thailand would continue its relations with foreign countries.