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In Pictures: Thais react to military coup

Thailand’s military coup and imposed curfew have divided the population and drawn international condemnation.

On Thursday, May 22, Thai army leader Gen Prayuth Chan Ocha announced a military takeover of the government in a press conference at the Army Club in Bangkok.
By Vincenzo Floramo
Published On 25 May 2014

Bangkok, Thailand – Since May 22, Thailand has been under martial law.

Just months before his retirement, Thai army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha declared a military coup as an attempt to end the unrest that has sent Thailand’s economy into freefall. It is Thailand’s 12th sucessful military coup since 1932.

A day after his decision, around 500 people defied the law to express their outrage over the military takeover. In the past two days, the soldiers dismantled the pro-government Red Shirt protest camp in the outskirts of Bangkok as well as the anti-government camp site in the heart of the capital.

Except for the affected areas, there was no visible military presence in the streets. Traffic was lighter than usual and schools across the country were closed, but life in Bangkok appeared relatively normal.

The army’s action has received international condemnation, and US Secretery of State John Kerry declared in a press statement: “While we value our long friendship with the Thai people, this act will have negative implications for the US-Thai relationship, especially our relationship with the Thai military.”

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Early Friday morning, Thai soldiers arrived at the anti-government camp at the democracy monument area in Bangkok to dismantle their facilities.
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Anti-government protesters packed their belongings and left peacefully. The so-called "Yellow Shirts" seemed to be happy about the army takeover.
High ranking officers of the Thai army searched the anti-government camp.
Approximately 50 students from Bangkok University staged a (***)symbolic demonstration(***) against the coup near the anti-government camp.
A Thai soldier stands guard at the entrance of the Don Muang international airport. According to the army, passengers are allowed to come and go from the airport after the curfew, which begins at 10pm and ends at 5am.
A group of anti-coup protesters display banners in the commercial district of Siam.
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An anti-coup protester shouts at a unit of the Thai army.
Outraged Thais who do not agree with the coup protested the military(***)s action at a downtown site in Bangkok.
Most television and radio stations were shut down. Opponents of the coup have taken to the streets and the internet to express their grievances.
Anti-coup protesters at the Bangkok Arts and Cultural Center in Siam, Bangkok. General Prayuth(***)s decision to use a 100-year-old law to give his troops sweeping powers drew international condemnation and possible sanctions from the US.
Thai troops take position in front of hundreds of protesters gathered in downtown Bangkok just before the beginning of the 10pm curfew.
Thai soldiers occupy a Skytrain station in downtown Bangkok.
Soldiers stand in front of the entrance of the commercial area of Siam. The number of tourists in the country is expect to fall 10 to 12 percent. Currently, the tourism industry accounts for nine percent of the country(***)s gross domestic product.