Thailand’s army stages ‘half-coup’, declares martial law

In a surprise announcement early this morning, the Royal Thai Army declared martial law in the country in order to tackle the law and order situation, which has deteriorated over the last few months due to frequent confrontations between political rivals that has adversely affected the government from functioning for the last six months.

The sudden declaration by the army comes just a day after Thailand's caretaker Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisan refused to resign under pressure from anti-government protesters.

An aide to the embattled prime minister said the government was caught unaware by the army action, which it had not previously approved. "They took this action unilaterally. The government is having a special meeting regarding this. We have to watch and see if the army chief honours his declaration of impartiality," the aide said, describing the situation as "half a coup d'etat".

Lt Gen Nipat Thonglek told CNN the move was not a coup. "The army aims to maintain peace, order and public safety for all groups and all parties," a ticker running on the army's television channel said. "People are urged not to panic, and can carry on their business as usual. Declaring martial law is not a coup d'etat."

All Thai TV stations are being guarded by the military, Thai public television announced, showing pictures of soldiers and armoured vehicles taking positions outside broadcast facilities in the country's capital.

In a statement read on Thai television, the military declared that all of the country's radio and television stations must suspend their normal programmes "when it is needed", even as it said it will not interfere with the functioning of the caretaker government.

The dramatic announcements come days after the head of the army issued a stern warning after political violence had surged in the country's capital.

Political tensions have been running high in Thailand. Supporters and opponents of the country's government have staged mass protests in recent days, and earlier this month a top court removed caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra from office, along with nine cabinet ministers.

The Thai Army has staged 11 coups since 1932, the last being the 2006 ouster of Thaksin Shinawatra.

Army chief Prayuth Chan-Ocha invoked a 1914 law to sign the martial law as the Army is allowed to intervene during crisis.

The latest bout of political unrest was triggered in November when Yingluck Sinawatra's cabinet tried to pass an amnesty law that would have paved the way for her brother Thakisn Shinawatra's return.

Protesters led by opposition leader Suthep Thaugsuban accused the Yingluck government of being a puppet regime being run indirectly by her brother, Thaksin Shinawatra