BANGKOK, May 22 (RIA Novosti) – Thailand’s Army Chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha announced a military coup in the country in a televised address to the nation Thursday.
“Thailand’s armed forces … take over the functions of the Government in order to ensure peace and serenity in the country,” Prayut Chan-O-Cha said.
During the televised address, Thai protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban was surrounded by Thai troops and taken out from the negotiation room.
At least 300 troops were dispatched to the building of the army’s central club, where talks between the Army and the leaders of political forces were held.
The negotiations ended Wednesday without an agreement.
On Tuesday, Thailand's army declared martial law amid continuing mass anti-government protests, which have killed 28 people in recent months. It denied, however, that the move signaled a coup.
