Martial law but no coup, says Thai army

Thailand’s army has declared martial law, intensifying the turbulent nation’s deepening political crisis but denying a coup d’etat was under way.

The shock pre-dawn announcement, which effectively places the army in charge of public security nationwide, came after six months of anti-government demonstrations aimed at ousting the government and a day after the south-east Asian country’s caretaker prime minister refused to step down.