Thai army chief announces military coup

BANGKOK: Thailand's army chief General Prayut Chan-O-Cha announced in an address to the nation on Thursday that the armed forces were seizing power after months of deadly political turmoil. General Prayuth made the announcement in a statement broadcast on national television. “In order for the country to return to normal quickly the National Peace Keeping Committee comprised of the army, the Thai armed forces, the Royal Air Force and the police need to seize power as of May 22 at 4.30 pm,” he said. The development followed two days of meetings between the country's rival political leaders that failed to break the impasse.