An Army official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation, told The Associated Press “this is definitely not a coup. This is only to provide safety to the people and the people can still carry on their lives as normal”.
Justice Minister Chaikasem Nitisiri told The Associated Press the Army had not consulted the Cabinet, but he played down the move, saying the Army was “only taking over security” and it would not affect the Cabinet.
Thailand's Army has staged 11 coups since the end of absolute monarchy in 1932.
Thailand, an economic hub for Southeast Asia, has been gripped by off-and-on political turmoil since 2006, when former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was toppled by a military coup after being accused of corruption, abuse of power and disrespect for King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
The latest round of unrest started last November, when anti-government protesters took to the streets to try to oust then-Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Mr. Thaksin's sister. She had dissolved the lower house of parliament in December in a bid to ease the crisis.