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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Thailand under curfew amid army coup | Thailand under curfew amid army coup |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A curfew has begun across Thailand after the army announced it had taken control and suspended the constitution following months of political turmoil. | A curfew has begun across Thailand after the army announced it had taken control and suspended the constitution following months of political turmoil. |
| The army chief imposed the 22:00 to 05:00 curfew, along with a ban on political gatherings and suspension of normal television programming. | The army chief imposed the 22:00 to 05:00 curfew, along with a ban on political gatherings and suspension of normal television programming. |
| Key political figures have been detained and others ordered to report to the military. | Key political figures have been detained and others ordered to report to the military. |
| The army said it needed to restore order and enact political reforms. | The army said it needed to restore order and enact political reforms. |
| It declared martial law on Tuesday but then gathered political leaders together for talks on the crisis. | It declared martial law on Tuesday but then gathered political leaders together for talks on the crisis. |
| However, army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha went on air on Thursday to announce the coup. | However, army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha went on air on Thursday to announce the coup. |
| Several key figures at the talks, including opposition protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban and pro-government protest leader Jatuporn Prompan, were detained. | Several key figures at the talks, including opposition protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban and pro-government protest leader Jatuporn Prompan, were detained. |
| Acting PM Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisan was not at the talks and his whereabouts are unclear. However, he and all cabinet ministers, along with ex-PM Yingluck Shinawatra, were ordered to report to the military. | |
| 'In the dark' | 'In the dark' |
| Protest groups in and around Bangkok have been dispersed but the operations are reported to have been largely peaceful. | Protest groups in and around Bangkok have been dispersed but the operations are reported to have been largely peaceful. |
| One key flashpoint was the pro-government "red shirt" protest camp on Bangkok's western outskirts. | One key flashpoint was the pro-government "red shirt" protest camp on Bangkok's western outskirts. |
| At the scene: The BBC's Jonah Fisher in Bangkok: | At the scene: The BBC's Jonah Fisher in Bangkok: |
| The military has been consolidating its position over the past several hours. | The military has been consolidating its position over the past several hours. |
| There aren't soldiers all over Bangkok tonight. It is a lot quieter, but that is because of the curfew. The way martial law has been handled over the past two days has not involved large deployments of soldiers - that has not been deemed necessary. | There aren't soldiers all over Bangkok tonight. It is a lot quieter, but that is because of the curfew. The way martial law has been handled over the past two days has not involved large deployments of soldiers - that has not been deemed necessary. |
| The military has concentrated its efforts around the protest camps - both pro- and anti-government - and that is what we have seen this evening. That is where it has deployed soldiers to the biggest effect, trying to make sure there is no reaction there to the declaration that the military is now in control. | The military has concentrated its efforts around the protest camps - both pro- and anti-government - and that is what we have seen this evening. That is where it has deployed soldiers to the biggest effect, trying to make sure there is no reaction there to the declaration that the military is now in control. |
| Questions remain about sudden takeover | |
| Hundreds of troops blocked cars from getting within 2km (1.2 miles) of the site - which was left eerily quiet as protesters packed up. | Hundreds of troops blocked cars from getting within 2km (1.2 miles) of the site - which was left eerily quiet as protesters packed up. |
| One of them, Eungkan, told Reuters news agency: "The troops came, the leaders left. We weren't scared. This coup will not help anyone; it won't help this country." | One of them, Eungkan, told Reuters news agency: "The troops came, the leaders left. We weren't scared. This coup will not help anyone; it won't help this country." |
| Reuters also quoted Phuttiphong Khamhaengphon, a red shirt leader from the north-eastern town of Khon Kaen as saying: "We are completely in the dark. We haven't had any orders or coordination yet." | Reuters also quoted Phuttiphong Khamhaengphon, a red shirt leader from the north-eastern town of Khon Kaen as saying: "We are completely in the dark. We haven't had any orders or coordination yet." |
| Anti-government protesters were also seen packing up in central Bangkok. | Anti-government protesters were also seen packing up in central Bangkok. |
| There was heavy traffic on the streets of the capital as the curfew deadline loomed but they are now largely deserted. | |
| The army has staged at least 12 coups since the end of the absolute monarchy in 1932. | The army has staged at least 12 coups since the end of the absolute monarchy in 1932. |
| One Bangkok flower seller, Pinkaew Pipatada, 65, was witnessing a fourth coup and said: "I hope the soldiers have come out this time to solve the problem once and for all." | One Bangkok flower seller, Pinkaew Pipatada, 65, was witnessing a fourth coup and said: "I hope the soldiers have come out this time to solve the problem once and for all." |
| Television has been restricted to broadcasts by the military. The BBC, CNN and other channels are off air. | Television has been restricted to broadcasts by the military. The BBC, CNN and other channels are off air. |
| The military issued a second bulletin in the afternoon, spelling out the key points of the takeover: | The military issued a second bulletin in the afternoon, spelling out the key points of the takeover: |
| Key coup conditions | Key coup conditions |
| The UN responded to the coup by expressing "serious concern", with Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urging a "prompt return to constitutional, civilian, democratic rule". | The UN responded to the coup by expressing "serious concern", with Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urging a "prompt return to constitutional, civilian, democratic rule". |
| US Secretary of State John Kerry said the coup would have "negative implications" for US-Thai relations, particularly in the military sphere. | US Secretary of State John Kerry said the coup would have "negative implications" for US-Thai relations, particularly in the military sphere. |
| The UK urged "all sides to put aside their differences, and adhere to the values of democracy and the rule of law". | The UK urged "all sides to put aside their differences, and adhere to the values of democracy and the rule of law". |
| French President Francois Hollande condemned the coup and called for early elections. | French President Francois Hollande condemned the coup and called for early elections. |
| The latest unrest began in the Thai capital late last year, when Ms Yingluck dissolved the lower house of parliament. | |
| A court ordered her removal for alleged abuse of power this month. | A court ordered her removal for alleged abuse of power this month. |
| Thailand has faced a power struggle since Ms Yingluck's brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, was ousted by the military as PM in 2006. | Thailand has faced a power struggle since Ms Yingluck's brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, was ousted by the military as PM in 2006. |
| Mr Thaksin and Ms Yingluck have strong support in rural areas. They are opposed by many in the middle class and urban elite. | Mr Thaksin and Ms Yingluck have strong support in rural areas. They are opposed by many in the middle class and urban elite. |
| Are you in Thailand? What is your reaction to the military coup? Email Haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences, using the subject Thailand. | Are you in Thailand? What is your reaction to the military coup? Email Haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences, using the subject Thailand. |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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