Thai military criticised as coup takes hold

The US has led widespread international criticism of a military takeover in Thailand as the South-East Asian nation spent its first night under curfew. US Secretary of State John Kerry said there was ‘no justification’, and $10m in bilateral aid could be suspended. France and Germany condemned the coup, with the UN expressing serious concern. The army on Thursday suspended the constitution, banned gatherings and detained politicians, saying order was needed after months of turmoil. The military had declared martial law on Tuesday. Two days later, it gathered political leaders together in Bangkok for talks on the crisis. However, army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha then went on TV to announce the coup. Several key figures at the talks, including opposition protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban and pro-government protest leader Jatuporn Prompan, were detained. Acting PM Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisan was not at the talks and his whereabouts are unclear, according to BBC.