23rd May, 2014
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appealed for a "prompt return to civilian order" after the military seized control of Thailand yesterday following months of political unrest.
The deposed Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan is among prominent politicians who have reportedly reported in to the military after it seized control yesterday along with former PM Yingluck Shinawatra.
The coup was declared by General Prayuth Chan-ocha who has imposed martial law including the closing down of TV networks and imposition of a curfew.
US Secretary of State John Kerry has said there was "no justification" for the coup while Australian Foreign Minister Julie BIshop has said she was "gravely concerned" over the news and the UK’s Foreign Secretary William Hague urged the restoration of a civilian government.
– DAVID ADAMS
