If Prayuth Chan-ocha’s decision to stage Thailand’s latest in a long list of coups was as impulsive as he suggests, then the general has a Herculean task managing the fallout and deciding what happens next.

Ousted members of Thailand’s former government have turned themselves in to the country’s new military junta, as soldiers forcefully dispersed hundreds of anti-coup activists who defied a ban on large-scale gatherings.

Thailand’s army chief has just announced a military takeover of the government, saying the coup is necessary to restore stability and order after six months of political deadlock and turmoil.

Authorities in Thailand are preparing to stop 99 elephants and thousands of villagers from protesting against the possible dissolution of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s political party.