Thailand's ruling military junta summoned political leaders, including ousted prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, to a military facility in Bangkok, a day after the army took power in a so far bloodless coup d'etat.
Normally bustling on a Friday night, the streets of Bangkok were nearly deserted on the second night of a 10pm curfew imposed as part of the coup.
TV is restricted to broadcasts by the military, and international channels such as BBC, CNN and others are off the air. It is Thailand’s second coup in eight years. On the streets, the military presence is low-key, except at certain intersections and near the airport.
Suspended The leader of the Thai military junta, army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha, announced he was taking power on Thursday to restore stability and stop sporadic outbursts of violence that left 28 people dead and hundreds injured since the current round of turmoil began in November.
“In order to run the country smoothly, [coup leaders have] suspended the constitution of 2007, except for the chapter on the monarchy,” the junta said in a statement read out on national television. The military suspended the constitution, banned gatherings and detained politicians, saying order was needed after months of turmoil.
The Thai army has staged 19 coups, 12 of them successful, since the end of the absolute monarchy in 1932.
Ms Yingluck, who had not been seen in public for several days, was sacked by the constitutional court earlier this month for nepotism and alleged abuse of power.
She was one of more than 100 political figures summoned by the army, which has banned 155 prominent politicians and activists from leaving the country without permission.
Anti-government protesters have been calling for the removal of the Shinawatra family and its alleged corrupting influence from Thai politics.
The coup is sure to be backed by the opposition, as the military is staunchly loyal to the monarchy and tends to be mistrustful of the pro-government Red Shirt movement, even if many in the rank and file of the army probably back the Thaksin faction. Opposition protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban and pro-government protest leader Jatuporn Prompan were detained.
Power struggle Thailand has been consumed by a power struggle, of varying degrees of intensity, since Ms Yingluck's brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, was ousted by the military as prime minister in 2006.
Mr Thaksin and Ms Yingluck have strong support in the north, in rural areas and among the urban poor. They are opposed by many in the middle class and urban elite.
Under the terms of the coup, a curfew runs from 10pm to 5am and Gen Prayuth will head the ruling National Peace and Order Maintaining Council.
The Senate and courts continue to operate, but the 2007 constitution has been suspended except for a section referring to the monarchy. Political gatherings of more than five people have been banned, with penalties of up to a year in jail or a fine of 10,000 baht (€225), or both.
Social media platforms have been warned they may be blocked if they carry provocative content.
The US, a staunch ally of Thailand, has said there could be “no justification” for the coup and $10 million (about €7.3 billion) in bilateral aid could be suspended. “While we value our long friendship with the Thai people, this act will have negative implications for the US-Thai relationship, especially for our relationship with the Thai military,” said US Secretary of State John Kerry.
France and Germany also criticised the coup, and the United Nations has expressed its concern.
