Martial law in Thailand

Thailand’s army suspended the nation’s constitution and took over the government on May 22, two days after declaring martial law. The move comes after weeks of unrest following a ruling by the Constitutional Court that forced former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra to step down. It is the 11th military coup in Thailand since 1932.

Anti- and pro-government protests have been ongoing since November 2013, occasionally turning violent, leaving at least 27 people dead and hundreds injured. On May 15, three people were killed and 20 injured in an attack on an anti-government protest camp in Bangkok.

Shinawatra was found guilty of illegally transferring to a noncabinet position a member of her cabinet who had been appointed by the opposition, an act that violated the constitution. She was later found guilty of negligence over a corrupt and wasteful rice subsidy scheme.

A general election held in February was declared invalid because of opposition disruption. New elections were scheduled for May, July and August. 

The US Department of State recommends reconsidering any nonessential travel to Thailand, particularly to Bangkok, due to political and social unrest and restrictions on internal movements, including an indefinite nighttime curfew throughout Thailand. Avoid protest events.