Thailand's army chief announces military coup
By THANYARAT DOKSONE and JOCELYN GECKER, Associated Press
May 22, 2014 5:16 AM CDT
A Thai soldier stands guard on a street in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, May 22, 2014. Thailand's army chief Gen. Prayuth Chan-Ocha assumed the role of mediator Wednesday by summoning the country's key political rivals for face-to-face talks one day after imposing martial law. The meeting ended without...   (Associated Press)

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand's army chief has announced that the military has seized power in a coup to restore stability and order after six months of political deadlock and turmoil.

Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha made the announcement Thursday in a statement broadcast on national television.

He said the commission that imposed martial law Tuesday would now take control of the country's administration.

The development followed two days of meetings between the country's rival political leaders that failed to break the impasse.

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