(CNN) — Thailand’s army has declared martial law in a surprise announcement it says is aimed at keeping the country stable after six months of sometimes violent political unrest. However, the military is denying that a coup d’etat is underway.
The move comes one day after the Southeast Asian country’s caretaker prime minister refused to step down and follows six months of anti-government demonstrations that have failed to oust the government.
All Thai TV stations are being guarded by the military, Thai public television announced Tuesday, showing pictures of soldiers and armored vehicles taking positions outside broadcast facilities in the country’s capital.