Thai army stages coup after six-month political stalemate

[BANGKOK] Thailand's powerful army chief took control of the country yesterday and suspended the Constitution after a six- month crisis that has sapped economic growth and caused political paralysis, staging the military's 12th coup since 1932.

Two days after declaring martial law and saying there was no coup, General Prayuth Chan-ocha announced on national television alongside senior military officials that he was seizing control in order to restore peace.

He announced a daily nationwide curfew from 10pm to 5am and banned political protests and gatherings of more than five people. All regular TV and radio programmes have been suspend…