Martial Law Declared in Thailand
May 20, 2014 – 1:10 pm
This morning at 3am the Thai army declared martial law in Thailand.
The army chief, Gen Prayuth, signed the “first announcement” to set up the Peace-Keeping Command Centre (PKCC) under the military and dissolved the government’s Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order. Under the “second announcement” of the martial law order, which is not a coup, Gen Prayuth, the martial law commander, declared himself director of the PKCC which is “to be responsible for taking action to prevent and mitigate any situation which may affect peace and order and security” throughout the country.
All public transport and tourist attractions, including airports, tourist sites and shopping malls, are currently open and operating as per normal. However, visitors are advised to be vigilant and avoid rally sites and demonstration marches, as well as areas where crowds may gather.
