Thai army chief announces military coup

Bangkok, May 22: Thailand's army chief today announced coup to restore stability after six months of anti-government protests left the country deeply paralysed.

"In order for the country to return to normal quickly the National Peace Keeping Committee comprised of the army, the Thai armed forces, the Royal Air Force and the police need to seize power as of May 22 at 4.30 pm," army chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha said.

The armed forces were seizing power, two days after the military in a surprise pre-dawn move declared martial law to maintain order in the troubled South East Asian nation, but denied it was a coup.

PTI