Soldiers stand guard during a coup at the Army Club where Thailand's army chief held a meeting with all rival factions in Bangkok. Photo: Reuters
The pro-government Red Shirt centre has warned the country to "stand-by for retaliation" after Thailand's military launched a coup, three days after it initiated martial law.
Gunfire has been heard on the streets of Bangkok, and the army announced on television the names of people who should report to the army. First on the list was deposed Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan.
Thai and foreign journalists watch and listen to the announcement of the coup on television at the Army Club's press centre in Bangkok. Photo: AP
The army has imposed a nationwide curfew from 10pm until 5am, which Australians and other visitors in the country will have to obey.
The Red Shirt group posted on Twitter: "Now it is a coup - stand-by for retaliation."
An army spokesman said people should remain calm and continue to go about their normal activities.
Thailand's army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha (left) leaves after meeting with anti-government and pro-government leaders. Photo: AFP
"We will provide security for foreigners," he said.
In his official announcement that the coup had taken place, army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha said: "In order for the situation to return to normal quickly and for society to love and be at peace again ... and to reform the structure of the political, economic and social structure, the military needs to take control of power."
The curfew will affect tens of thousands of tourists in resort areas like Phuket, Chiang Mai and Pattaya. It is also expected to create chaos for travellers arriving into and leaving the country and will affect dozens of flights, because passengers are prohibited from travelling after 10pm.
Thailand’s military has launched a coup three days after insisting its troops would not stage a full takeover. Photo: Apichart Weerawong
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says it is updating its advice for Australians who are in Thailand or planning to travel there.
Many Thais will not know about the curfew because Thai television and radio stations have been taken off the air, although the internet and social media sites like Twitter are still operating.
International television stations, including the ABC's Australia Television, the BBC and CNN were taken off air just over three hours after the coup was announced. Patriotic military songs were then broadcast on the stations.
International television stations like the ABC's Australia Network, CCN and BBC were taken off at least one cable channel provider. The Cartoon channel was even taken off air.
Troops have been deployed in large numbers across the city of 10 million people, where major shopping centres have closed early and restaurants, bars and other businesses are shuttered.
They have entered television stations that were not already closed and the stations that remain open are now playing soothing music.
Troops are also in newspaper offices.
Workers rushed to public transport to get home before the 10pm curfew. Roads were also choked with people going home. Troops manned dozens of check points at major intersections.
As commanders appeared on television about 5pm Bangkok time (8pm AEST) to declare they had taken over, the leaders of both rival political parties in Thailand were taken away in a vans amid dramatic scenes at the Army Club in central Bangkok, where talks were being held to try to find a resolution to six months of sometimes violent unrest.
A military source said the leaders were told "we will keep you together until you understand and love each other".
Formally announcing the coup on television, General Prayuth said martial law had moved to a full-blown coup, to quell political violence and "ensure fairness for every side".
''To restore peace back to the country in a short time and to reform the country's politics, economy and society, the Thai military, army, navy, air force and police have seized power from May 22 onward,'' General Prayuth said.
"I ask the people to remain calm and carry on with their business as usual."
Gunfire was heard on Uttayan Road, where the pro-government Red Shirt protesters have been camped.
Earlier, soldiers who arrived in trucks at a Red Shirt campsite on the western outskirts of Bangkok said they would take people home. They arrested key Red Shirt leaders who were on stage at their rally site.
Reports said soldiers had asked Red Shirt protesters to stay put and lie face down on the ground. A photo shared via Twitter showed Red Shirt guards and protesters ducking down as soldiers moved in on the protest.
Armed soldiers had also surrounded anti-government protesters rallying in Bangkok's Ratchadamnoen Road area by 6.15pm Bangkok time (9.15pm AEST).
Political leaders from seven groups are being held at an army base. They could not be reached on their mobile telephones.
Thai media said opposition Democrat leader Abhist Vejjajiva was among those arrested. The Democrat party boycotted elections in February that were later annulled by the Constitution Court.
Interim prime minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan learnt of the coup while at the Commerce Ministry. He had stayed away from the Army Club talks.
Mr Niwattumrong said he then went to offices of the former ruling Pheu Thai party and then to an unknown location.
Unconfirmed reports said he had been arrested.
Earlier on Thursday, Mr Niwattumrong insisted he would not resign and said his caretaker cabinet would remain in office until a new elected government was formed.
The army declared that the coup commanders were operating through a body called the National Peacekeeping Committee.
The coup is the 19th staged by the country's powerful armed forces since 1932.
The takeover will enrage Red Shirt supporters of the caretaker government that wanted to push ahead with fresh elections.
Red Shirt leaders had vowed to rise up if the government that was elected in a landslide victory in 2011 was unconstitutionally deposed.
The military's move is expected to be condemned by countries around the world, including Australia.
The US will consider imposing sanctions on the military, a close ally.
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