Thailand's army chief announced a military takeover of the government Thursday, saying the coup was necessary to restore stability after six months of political deadlock and turmoil.

Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha said in a statement broadcast on national television that the same military commission that had imposed martial law Tuesday would now take control of the country's administration.

The army also announced a nationwide curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. and a suspension of the country's constitution.

"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 p.m.,” Prayuth said.

The army also told anti-government protesters to leave the square where demonstrations have been taking place since November. The military is readying vehicles to take away any remaining protesters, according to Thaworn Senneam, a protest leader.

The pivotal developments came after Prayuth declared martial law on Tuesday in what he called a bid to resolve the crisis.

Since Tuesday, the Thai military has imposed several new "edicts" on the country, including one that bans media that may incite conflict or unrest, causing at least 14 partisan TV networks — both pro- and anti-government — to shut down.

Nearly 3,000 unlicensed community radio stations across Thailand have also been ordered to close. Newspapers have been warned not to publish articles that could incite unrest. The army says violators will be prosecuted. But so far, none have.

On Wednesday Prayuth summoned the country's rival political leaders for face-to-face talks. Two days of talks failed to break the impasse.

Shortly before the announcement of the takeover, armed soldiers in military vehicles surrounded the military facility where the politicians were meeting. The move was apparently meant to block those inside from leaving.

Many of the country's highest-profile figures were summoned for the meeting. They included the acting prime minister — who sent four Cabinet ministers in his place — and anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, as well as Suthep's rival from the pro-government “Red Shirts” group, Jatuporn Prompan. Reporters at the meeting said Suthep and Jatuporn were escorted out of the meeting by soldiers.

Government official Paradorn Pattanathabutr, contacted shortly after the announcement, said that the four ministers attending the meeting were still being held by the military.

"The rest of us who are outside are still fine and in the safe places. However, the situation is very worrying. We have to monitor it closely and don't know what else can happen," he said.

Thailand has been gripped by bouts of political instability for more than seven years.

The latest round of unrest started in November, when demonstrators took to the streets to try to force Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to step down. They accused her of being a proxy for her popular billionaire brother, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 military coup and now lives in self-imposed exile to avoid a jail sentence on a corruption conviction.

The coup announced Thursday was the 12th since the country's absolute monarchy ended in 1932. The military has been widely viewed as sympathetic to the protesters seeking to oust the current government.

Paul Chambers, a professor at Chiang Mai University’s Institute for South-East Asian Affairs, told the Washington Post that Thailand has experienced nearly 30 coup attempts – some successful, some not – since 1912.

"We ask the public not to panic and to carry on their lives normally," Prayuth said. "And civil servants, stay in every ministry, carry on your responsibilities as normal."

 curran12 wrote:
How many coups does this make for Thailand now?

Paul Chambers, a professor at Chiang Mai University’s Institute for South-East Asian Affairs, told the Washington Post that Thailand has experienced nearly 30 coup attempts – some successful, some not – since 1912.

 Gentleman_Jellyfish wrote:

 curran12 wrote:
How many coups does this make for Thailand now?

Paul Chambers, a professor at Chiang Mai University’s Institute for South-East Asian Affairs, told the Washington Post that Thailand has experienced nearly 30 coup attempts – some successful, some not – since 1912.

This many!

dereksatkinson wrote:
There have been 12 coups since 1932. Attempted coups don't count.

 Jihadin wrote:
Here I am buying property and contemplating adoption

 Frazzled wrote:
"The National Peace Keeping Committee"

What could go wrong?

Has the King thrown in his lot with the Army yet? They want the country to "return to normal", which given that the protests were over crap like this, may not go so well. Given that one side has all the guns though, its not like the protest movement can do much now. I guess its up to the Tai people just to knuckle down for a couple of years till the army allows for elections again, then start protesting again (as come on, like hell the next government will be any better than the last one). Yeah, just another day in Tailand. =P

 -Shrike- wrote:
@Lone Cat: I'm guessing you're against this coup, then?