BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand's army declared martial law in a surprise announcement in Bangkok before dawn on Tuesday, intensifying the turbulent nation's deepening political crisis. It was not immediately clear whether a coup d'etat was underway.
The move came after six months of anti-government demonstrations aimed at ousting the government and one day after the Southeast Asian country's caretaker prime minister refused to step down.
The army said in a statement that it had taken the action to "keep peace and order" and soldiers entered several private television stations that are sympathetic to protesters.
A ticker on Chanel 5, an army station, however, denied the military was taking over, saying "the invocation of martial law is not a coup."
Thailand's army has staged at 11 successful coups since the end of absolute monarchy in 1932.
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Mon May 19, 2014 7:17 pm
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