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Thailand's military criticised as coup takes hold Thailand coup: Military leader summons politicians
(about 2 hours later)
The US has led widespread international criticism of a military takeover in Thailand as the South-East Asian nation spent its first night under curfew. Thailand's military leader has summoned more than 100 key political figures to a meeting in Bangkok, a day after taking power in a coup.
US Secretary of State John Kerry said there was "no justification", and $10m in bilateral aid could be suspended. Ousted leader Yingluck Shinawatra, the acting PM and his government, and protest leaders were among those told to report in to the army.
France and Germany condemned the coup, with the UN expressing serious concern. It was not clear why they were summoned or how many would attend the meeting.
The army on Thursday suspended the constitution, banned gatherings and detained politicians, saying order was needed after months of turmoil. Thursday's coup, which followed months of anti-government protests, has drawn widespread international criticism.
The military had declared martial law on Tuesday. Two days later, it gathered political leaders together in Bangkok for talks on the crisis. The military suspended the constitution, banned gatherings and detained politicians, saying order was needed after months of turmoil.
However, army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha then went on TV to announce the coup. The move came two days after it declared martial law in the protest-hit nation.
Several key figures at the talks, including opposition protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban and pro-government protest leader Jatuporn Prompan, were detained. US Secretary of State John Kerry said there was "no justification" for the coup, adding that $10m in bilateral aid could be suspended.
Acting PM Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisan was not at the talks and his whereabouts are unclear. The UN expressed serious concern, with Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urging a "prompt return to constitutional, civilian, democratic rule".
Analysis: BBC's Jonah Fisher in Bangkok: Thais, meanwhile, spent the night under a curfew which ran from 22:00 to 05:00. Bangkok was reported to be largely peaceful after the coup.
For many of the opposition PDRC's supporters, a coup is the end result they had been hoping for. One key flashpoint was the pro-government "red shirt" camp on Bangkok's western outskirts but protesters packed up without violence on Thursday.
But questions remain. Did Gen Prayuth really expect to achieve success in talks in two short meetings? Or was it his always his intention to make a token nod towards negotiations before stepping in?
Could the talks really have been a ruse to get all the key leaders in one place before detaining them?
There has been some suggestion that elements within the Thai army may have forced his hand.
The rush from martial law to full-blown coup has left many here shaking and scratching their heads.
Questions remain about sudden takeover
His adviser Paradorn Pattanathabutr told the Associated Press news agency: "The rest of us who are outside are still fine and in safe places."
Mr Niwatthamrong and all his cabinet ministers, along with two former PMs - Ms Yingluck and Somchai Wongsawat - were ordered to report to the military on Friday morning. The military later expanded that summons to include more than 100 leading figures from both political camps.
Thailand has now ended its first night under curfew.
'We weren't scared'
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".
Mr Kerry said there was "no justification for this military coup".
He said: "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."
Up to $10m in bilateral assistance could be suspended.
The UK urged "all sides to put aside their differences, and adhere to the values of democracy and the rule of law".
The French president and German foreign minister condemned the coup, while Japan's foreign ministry termed it "regrettable".
A spokesperson for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said it was important to hold "credible and inclusive elections as soon as feasible".
Thailand's Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) partner Singapore expressed "grave concern".
Bangkok remained largely peaceful after the coup.
One key flashpoint was the pro-government "red shirt" camp on Bangkok's western outskirts but protesters packed up without violence.
There was heavy traffic on the streets as the curfew deadline loomed but they were largely deserted overnight.There was heavy traffic on the streets as the curfew deadline loomed but they were largely deserted overnight.
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 bulletin on Thursday afternoon, spelling out the key points of the takeover: 'Work as normal'
Military leader General Prayuth Chan-Ocha - who has appointed himself the new prime minister - said troops were taking power "in order for the country to return to normal quickly".
"All Thais must remain calm and government officials must work as normal," he said in a televised address announcing the coup.
The move came after two days of talks between the rival political factions.
Several key figures at the talks, including opposition protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban and pro-government protest leader Jatuporn Prompan, were immediately detained.
The military then issued a bulletin spelling out the key points of the takeover:
Key coup conditionsKey coup conditions
The army has staged at least 12 coups since the end of the absolute monarchy in 1932. Thailand's armed forces, which have staged at least 12 coups since the end of the absolute monarchy in 1932, acted after months of political deadlock.
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, which has won them multiple elections. But they are opposed by many in the middle class and urban elite, who are at the heart of the current protest movement.
The latest unrest began in the Thai capital late last year, when anti-government protesters embarked on a campaign to oust Ms Yingluck's government.The latest unrest began in the Thai capital late last year, when anti-government protesters embarked on a campaign to oust Ms Yingluck's government.
A court ordered her removal for alleged abuse of power this month.A court ordered her removal for alleged abuse of power this month.
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.
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