Update 1 p.m. ET: U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry issued a statement Thursday afternoon saying he was "disappointed by the decision of the Thai military to suspend the constitution and take control of the government after a long period of political turmoil, and there is no justification for this military coup." He urged a restoration of the civilian government and respect for human rights -- including freedom of the press. “While we value our long friendship with the Thai people,” Kerry’s statement says, “this act will have negative implications for the U.S.-Thai relationship, especially for our relationship with the Thai military. We are reviewing our military and other assistance and engagements, consistent with U.S. law."
Thailand's military chief declared a coup d'etat on Thursday and suspended the constitution. The takeover comes just three days after the country instituted martial law.
Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha announced the coup in a televised statement and appealed for people to remain calm.
"The military has to return peace and order to the country as soon as possible and to reform [the] political and social structure to ensure fairness for every side," he said. "I ask the people to remain calm and carry on with their business as usual."
Hours after the coup announcement, Thailand's military junta said it had suspended the constitution. The military confirmed in broadcast statement that the nation's caretaker government is no longer in power, but the Senate will remain in place, the Associated Press reports.
#ThailandCoup announcement. pic.twitter.com/YRfKLsOVSH
— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) May 22, 2014
This is Thailand's 19th coup since 1932. It comes after two days of negotiations between rival political parties in Bangkok that were spurred by six months of sometimes-violent unrest between the two factions.
The two group's leaders were rushed away in military vans on Thursday at Bangkok's Army Club and were reportedly told, "We will keep you together until you understand and love each other."
Soldiers with Thailand's army then stormed pro- and anti-government demonstration camps and ceased all non-military broadcasting on the country's television networks. Some international channels, however, are reportedly still on air.
"All radio and television stations, satellite and cable, must stop normal programming and broadcast army content until told otherwise," a deputy army spokesman said in a televised statement.
.@BBCWorld tonight in Thailand. pic.twitter.com/tgyRW24ku5
— Jonah Fisher (@JonahFisher) May 22, 2014
@cnnadam @WillMcAvoyACN ...I think you mean martial law, not marital law.
— Dani (@walkingmishap) May 22, 2014
The channels are currently broadcasting a military messaging and playing "soothing" Thai music.
"I am ... concerned that media outlets have been shut down," U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said in a statement issued Thursday afternoon. "I urge the restoration of civilian government immediately, a return to democracy, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, such as press freedoms."
A 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew was imposed nationwide, and a Thai army spokesperson said no political protests with more than 5 people were permitted to take place anywhere, as troops spread across Thailand's capital city.