Thai Army Chief Calls Political Rivals to Meeting | WPN World People News

Thailand's army chief, General Prayuth Chan-Ocha, is holding a meeting with the country's rival political groups a day after he declared martial law.

Members of the election commission and senate are also taking part in the Wednesday afternoon meeting, which aims to find a way out of the political crisis.

General Prayuth said martial law is necessary to prevent violence after the country's top court ousted Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra for abuse of power.

Military officials deny they have staged a coup. They have assured the nation that the government is fully functioning within the constitution.

However, Thai government sources told VOA the military decrees have left the civilian government unable to function.

Both the United Nations and the White House are urging all sides in Thailand to resolve the crisis peacefully and to respect democracy.

Under martial law, the army has shut down several television stations and has warned against spreading news that can "negatively affect security."

Both pro- and anti-government protesters must remain in their designated demonstration sites and are not allowed to hold marches.

This latest political crisis began in 2006, when Yingluck's brother, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was toppled by a military coup after being accused of corruption, abuse of power and disrespect for King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Thaksin remains highly popular among the rural poor, and parties controlled by him have won every national election since 2001.

The opposition began protesting in November, after the lower house of parliament passed an amnesty bill that some say would have allowed Thaksin to return from his self-imposed exile.

The protests were largely peaceful, but nearly 30 people have died, mostly during attacks targeting the anti-government protests.

Source: Voice of America