Thai coup leader insists on reform before election

A van believed to be carrying Thailand's interim Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisan arrives at an army facility after being summoned by the army during a coup in Bangkok May 23, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

Bangkok was calm and life appeared normal, although the military ordered all schools and universities to stay closed.

But there were some signs of opposition to the takeover.

Thai army chief announces military coup

Small groups of students in Bangkok and Chiang Mai held up signs denouncing the coup and supporting democracy, according to witneses and pictures posted on social media.

Regular television schedules were suspended with all stations running military announcements interspersed with footage from the army's channel. It showed sites, now cleared, that had been taken over in and around Bangkok by political groups since anti-government protests flared in November.

Other footage showed people going about their business in different places with some saying they welcomed the coup.

International news channels were off the air and the military threatened to block provocative websites.

US Secretary of State John Kerry said there had been no justification for the coup, which would have "negative implications" for ties with its ally, especially military ones.

"The path forward for Thailand must include early elections that reflect the will of the people," Kerry said in a statement.

He also called for the release of detained politicians.

There was condemnation from France, the European Union and the UN human rights office. Countries including Singapore and South Korea advised citizens against travel to Thailand.

The military briefed diplomats on Friday though some declined the invitation, apparently as a gesture of disapproval.

Prayuth is a member of the royalist establishment generally seen as hostile to the Shinawatras, although he tried for months to keep the army out of the strife and to appear even-handed.

He enjoyed cordial relations with Yingluck after she took office following a landslide election victory in mid-2011 but is regarded warily by some Thaksin supporters.

The army chief, who is 60 and due to retire later this year, has taken over the powers of prime minister but it was not clear if he intended to stay in the position.

An undercurrent of a crisis that is dividing rich and poor is deep anxiety over the issue of royal succession. King Bhumibol, the world's longest-reigning monarch, is 86 and spent the years from 2009 to 2013 in hospital.

Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn does not command the same devotion as his father, but some Thaksin supporters have recently been making a point of their loyalty to the prince.