Thailand's military has declared martial law after six months of unrest between the government and anti-government protesters.
Insisting the move was not a military coup, the army said it was intended to "preserve order and bring back peacefulness." The decision was announced on television at 03:00 local time on Tuesday. (See here, here and here for more).
Martial law would remain until "the country is safe and there is stability," the Army Chief, General Prayuth Chan-Ocha said.
"We ask all sides to come and talk to find a way out for the country," he told reporters later on Tuesday, calling on the government and opposition to negotiate.
Responding to the military's actions, the acting Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisan expressed home that no violence would be used and stated that he has requested new elections to be called for August.
"The government wishes the same for national peace and hopes that the martial law is imposed by way of peaceful means and equality with no violence," he said.
The military has ordered pro and anti government protesters, currently demonstrating in different parts of the capital, to stay as they are, in order to prevent any clashes.
Insisting the move was not a military coup, the army said it was intended to "preserve order and bring back peacefulness." The decision was announced on television at 03:00 local time on Tuesday. (See here, here and here for more).
Martial law would remain until "the country is safe and there is stability," the Army Chief, General Prayuth Chan-Ocha said.
"We ask all sides to come and talk to find a way out for the country," he told reporters later on Tuesday, calling on the government and opposition to negotiate.
Responding to the military's actions, the acting Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisan expressed home that no violence would be used and stated that he has requested new elections to be called for August.
"The government wishes the same for national peace and hopes that the martial law is imposed by way of peaceful means and equality with no violence," he said.
The military has ordered pro and anti government protesters, currently demonstrating in different parts of the capital, to stay as they are, in order to prevent any clashes.