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Thailand army declares martial law Thailand army declares martial law
(35 minutes later)
The Thai army has imposed martial law amid a political crisis "to preserve law and order". The Thai military has imposed martial law amid a political crisis "to preserve law and order", but says the surprise move is not a coup.
The surprise announcement also granted the army sweeping powers to enforce its decision. In response, the acting prime minister urged the army to act "under the constitution" and "with no violence".
The military insisted it was not a coup. Soldiers have taken over TV and radio stations, and blocked off roads in the capital, Bangkok. Soldiers have taken over TV and radio stations, and blocked off roads in the capital, Bangkok.
Martial law comes after months of escalating tensions between the government and the opposition.Martial law comes after months of escalating tensions between the government and the opposition.
Correspondents say the move could enrage supporters of the government, especially if it is seen as amounting to a coup. The army has staged at least 11 coups since the end of the absolute monarchy in 1932.Correspondents say the move could enrage supporters of the government, especially if it is seen as amounting to a coup. The army has staged at least 11 coups since the end of the absolute monarchy in 1932.
'No need to panic''No need to panic'
Soldiers have moved into the main government building in Bangkok, which has been unoccupied following months of violent demonstrations by opponents who want to be rid of an administration they say is corrupt.Soldiers have moved into the main government building in Bangkok, which has been unoccupied following months of violent demonstrations by opponents who want to be rid of an administration they say is corrupt.
The military has also ordered media censorship in the interests of "national security".The military has also ordered media censorship in the interests of "national security".
Both pro and anti-government protesters have been told not to march anywhere in order to prevent clashes.Both pro and anti-government protesters have been told not to march anywhere in order to prevent clashes.
Analysis: Jonathan Head, BBC News, BangkokAnalysis: Jonathan Head, BBC News, Bangkok
The army insists its imposition of martial law does not amount to a coup d'etat, and it is trying to operate with as light a footprint as possible.The army insists its imposition of martial law does not amount to a coup d'etat, and it is trying to operate with as light a footprint as possible.
At Government House - the official office of the prime minister and symbolic battleground in this long struggle for Thailand's future - troops were able to retake the building from the anti-government PDRC movement without any fuss, although it is still surrounded by protest tents and stages.At Government House - the official office of the prime minister and symbolic battleground in this long struggle for Thailand's future - troops were able to retake the building from the anti-government PDRC movement without any fuss, although it is still surrounded by protest tents and stages.
The muted reaction from both sides shows the military's low-key approach is working - for now. Both the government and its red-shirt supporters have accepted the army commander's word, that it is not taking over political power. The PDRC has cancelled rallies planned for Tuesday.The muted reaction from both sides shows the military's low-key approach is working - for now. Both the government and its red-shirt supporters have accepted the army commander's word, that it is not taking over political power. The PDRC has cancelled rallies planned for Tuesday.
But none of this resolves the intractable political conflict which has afflicted Thailand for eight years. If all the army does is maintain security, the problem will remain unresolved, and governance will be crippled.But none of this resolves the intractable political conflict which has afflicted Thailand for eight years. If all the army does is maintain security, the problem will remain unresolved, and governance will be crippled.
If the army tries to impose its own solution though, what at the moment seems like a 'half-coup' could well become a complete one, an outcome the red-shirt movement has said it will rise up against and resist.If the army tries to impose its own solution though, what at the moment seems like a 'half-coup' could well become a complete one, an outcome the red-shirt movement has said it will rise up against and resist.
An announcement on military-run TV said martial law had been imposed "to restore peace and order for people from all sides" and said the public need not panic.An announcement on military-run TV said martial law had been imposed "to restore peace and order for people from all sides" and said the public need not panic.
The military statement was signed by army chief Prayuth Chan-Ocha, citing a 1914 law that allows it to intervene during times of crisis.gt The military statement was signed by army chief Prayuth Chan-Ocha, citing a 1914 law that allows it to intervene during times of crisis.
Thai stocks and the baht currency dropped on Tuesday after the army announcement.Thai stocks and the baht currency dropped on Tuesday after the army announcement.
Japan, Thailand's biggest investor, expressed "grave concerns" about the political situation and urged all sides to exercise self-restraint "without using violence".Japan, Thailand's biggest investor, expressed "grave concerns" about the political situation and urged all sides to exercise self-restraint "without using violence".
The chief security advisor to the interim prime minister said the government had not been consulted about the army's decision.
"Everything is normal except the military is responsible for all national security issues," said Paradorn Pattanatabut.
Thailand's martial law act of 1914Thailand's martial law act of 1914
An army spokesman also insisted the imposition of martial law would have no impact on the caretaker government. The caretaker government earlier said it had not been consulted about the army's decision, but insisted that it remained in office.
"Everything is normal except the military is responsible for all national security issues," said chief security adviser Paradorn Pattanatabut.
An army spokesman also said the imposition of martial law would have no impact on the caretaker government.
Power strugglePower struggle
Observers say the deadlock in south-east Asia's second-largest economy has got worse since Ms Yingluck dissolved the lower house of parliament in December, and a court ordered her removal earlier this month for abuse of power.Observers say the deadlock in south-east Asia's second-largest economy has got worse since Ms Yingluck dissolved the lower house of parliament in December, and a court ordered her removal earlier this month for abuse of power.
On Monday, acting Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisan insisted his government would not resign, resisting pressure from anti-government protesters.On Monday, acting Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisan insisted his government would not resign, resisting pressure from anti-government protesters.
Thailand has faced a power struggle since Ms Yingluck's brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, was ousted by the military as prime minister in a coup in 2006.Thailand has faced a power struggle since Ms Yingluck's brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, was ousted by the military as prime minister in a coup in 2006.
Since then, there have been periodic anti-government protests which have turned deadly at times.Since then, there have been periodic anti-government protests which have turned deadly at times.
The latest unrest began in the Thai capital late last year, with demonstrators blockading several parts of the city.The latest unrest began in the Thai capital late last year, with demonstrators blockading several parts of the city.
In response, Ms Yingluck called a snap general election in February that her party was widely expected to win. But protesters disrupted the polls and the election was later annulled.In response, Ms Yingluck called a snap general election in February that her party was widely expected to win. But protesters disrupted the polls and the election was later annulled.
Are you in Thailand? What's your reaction to this ruling? You can share your views and pictures with us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using 'Martial law' in the subject heading.Are you in Thailand? What's your reaction to this ruling? You can share your views and pictures with us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using 'Martial law' in the subject heading.
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