Thai Military Takes Total Control

Military leaders in Thailand assumed all political power in the country on Saturday after dissolving the country’s Senate, the last democratic institution left standing after the military seized power two days ago.

According to reports, former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is being held in a “safe place” after being summoned on Friday along with nearly 200 others, including prominent politicians, outspoken academics and journalists, said to be “political associates” with the ruling party.

The Bangkok Post reports:

Further, the Bangkok Post notes that “curbs on the media appear to be tightening,” with international news channels including CNN, BBC, CNBC and Bloomberg remaining off air.

Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha announced this week that the takeover was “necessary” for maintaining peace and order in a country that has been racked with protests and volatile political disputes for the past six months.

However, according to Reuters, public opposition to the military takeover has been growing with small protests popping up throughout the country on Saturday.