The military's National Peace and Order Maintaining Council (NPOMC) has ordered all education institutes across Thailand to close for all activities between Friday and Sunday. Colonel Winthai Suvaree, the army deputy spokesman, announced the order on national television at 9pm.


BANGKOK: Thailand's future now rest in the hands of the generals with the announcement that Tuesday's pre-dawn imposition of martial law has become Thursday's coup.

Army Chief Prayuth Chan-Ocha announced on national television alongside senior military officials at 4.30pm that he was seizing control in order to restore peace.

Taken into custody immediately were the leaders of Thailand's long-feuding opposite political sides who had declined to reach agreement on Thailand's future despite two sessions of talks over two days.

Those being held in custody included Suthep Thaugsuban and Jatuporn Prompan, respectively leaders of the anti-government and pro-government factions.

''We will keep you together until you love and understand each other,'' was the message from a source close to the generals.

Another version quoted General Prayuth as saying: ''They quarrel so much, have 'em live together 'til they love each other.''

Later, the army announced on television the names of 18 people who should report to the army. First on the list was deposed caretaker Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan.

As the formal coup announcement was being made, Army trucks were moving to the Red rally site at Bangkok's Aksa Road.

People remaining at the rally were being told that the Army intended to truck them home to northern or eastern provinces today.

Formally announcing the takeover, Army Chief Prayuth said military law had moved up to a coup.

''To restore peace back to the country in a short time and to reform the country's politics, economy and society, the Thai military, army, navy, air force and police have seized power from May 22 onward,'' General Prayuth said.

Thailand and international television stations, including Australia Television, the BBC and CNN were taken off air just over three hours after the coup was announced. Patriotic military songs were then broadcast on the stations.

This is the 12th time since the end of absolute monarchy in 1932 that the army has seized power. The country has been ruled by military, or military-linked administrations for more than half of the subsequent eight decades.

Invited to meet the general today for a second round of talks were five representatives of the Pheu Thai ruling party, five from the opposition Democrat Party, five from the vestiges of the Yingluck Shinawatra government, five from the pro-government National United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), five from the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee, five senators and five representatives from Thailand's Electoral Commission.

A source at the meeting said General Prayuth decided to make the move after he asked caretaker Justice Minister Chaikasem Nitisiri whether the caretaker government and Cabinet would resign, the Bangkok Post reported.

The answer from the lead negotiator of the government was ''No.'' General Prayuth then announced that he had decided to seize administrative power, the source quoted him as telling the meeting.

He then asked all five representatives of the Election Commission and the Senate to leave the venue. The rest - 20 altogether - were taken to the 1st Division, King's Guard, to be under the Army's custody.

General Prayuth had made it plain that he wanted a swift agreement and was not prepared to allow the political conflict to drag on.

Virtually every aspect of the country's economy has been damaged in the arm-wrestle between the supporters of a democratically elected government and the street rebels who want the way Thailand is run reformed before the next national vote.

Fairfax Media Se Asia Correspondent Lindsay Murdoch reports:

The takeover will enrage Red Shirt supporters of the caretaker government who wanted to push ahead with fresh elections.

Red Shirt leaders had vowed to rise up if the government that was elected in a landslide victory in 2011 was unconstitutionally deposed.

Troops with vehicles were sent to camps of two rival groups, prompting fears they would detain people.

Soldiers who arrived in trucks at a Red Shirt campsite on the western outskirts of Bangkok said they would take people home.

They arrested key Red shirt leaders who were on stage at their rally site.

Armed soldiers had also surrounded anti-government protesters rallying in Bangkok's Ratchadamnoen Road area by 6.15pm Bangkok time.

Troops were deployed in large numbers across the city of 10 million people, where major shopping centres have closed early and restaurants, bars and other businesses are shuttered.

They have entered television stations that were not already closed and the stations that remain open are now playing soothing music.

Troops were also in newspaper offices.

The military's move is expected to be condemned by countries around the world, including Australia.

The US will consider imposing sanctions on the military, a close ally.

Supporters of Suthep Thaugsuban have been on the streets of Bangkok for six months, pressing for reforms before the next national election.

With Monday announced as the final, climactic day of protest and with clashes looming between anti-government and pro-government forces, General Prayuth intervened with the imposition of military law on Tuesday and took over in a coup today.

As commanders appeared on television to declare they had taken over, the leaders of Thailand's rival political groups were taken away in a vans amid dramatic scenes at the Army Club in central Bangkok, where talks were being held to try to find a resolution to six months of sometimes violent unrest.

Interim prime minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan learnt of the coup while at the Commerce Ministry. He had stayed away from the Army Club talks.

Mr Niwattumrong said he then went to offices of the former ruling Pheu Thai party and then to an unknown location.

Thai media said opposition Democrat leader Abhist Vejjajiva was among those arrested.