Troops fired into the air to disperse a pro-government protest camp on the outskirts of Bangkok but there are no reports of major violence.
The broadcast media have been told to suspend all normal programming.
Gen Prayuth said he had taken over power because "of the violence in Bangkok and many parts of the country that resulted in loss of innocent lives and property, [which] was likely to escalate".
He added: "We ask the public not to panic and to carry on their lives normally."
In a later a statement read on television the military said that "in order to run the country smoothly, [it has] suspended the constitution of 2007, except for the chapter on the monarchy".
The statement said Gen Prayuth would head a ruling military body - the National Peace and Order Maintaining Council - but that the upper house of parliament and courts would continue to function.
The army has ordered acting PM Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisan and his ministers to report to the military on Thursday "in order to keep peace and order".
The TV statement also carried a ban on "political gatherings" of more than five people, adding: "Anyone who violates the ban will be subject to a one-year jail term, 10,000 baht ($307) fine, or both."
The UN human rights office has urged the new Thai authorities "to take all necessary measures to ensure fundamental human rights are respected".
The first curfew has now begun, but as the 22:00 (15:00 GMT) deadline loomed there was heavy traffic on the streets of the capital with people trying to get home
Troops fired into the air to disperse a pro-government protest camp on the outskirts of Bangkok but there are no reports of major violence.
The broadcast media have been told to suspend all normal programming.
Gen Prayuth said he had taken over power because "of the violence in Bangkok and many parts of the country that resulted in loss of innocent lives and property, [which] was likely to escalate".
He added: "We ask the public not to panic and to carry on their lives normally."
In a later a statement read on television the military said that "in order to run the country smoothly, [it has] suspended the constitution of 2007, except for the chapter on the monarchy".
The statement said Gen Prayuth would head a ruling military body - the National Peace and Order Maintaining Council - but that the upper house of parliament and courts would continue to function.
The army has ordered acting PM Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisan and his ministers to report to the military on Thursday "in order to keep peace and order".
The TV statement also carried a ban on "political gatherings" of more than five people, adding: "Anyone who violates the ban will be subject to a one-year jail term, 10,000 baht ($307) fine, or both."
The UN human rights office has urged the new Thai authorities "to take all necessary measures to ensure fundamental human rights are respected".
The first curfew has now begun, but as the 22:00 (15:00 GMT) deadline loomed there was heavy traffic on the streets of the capital with people trying to get home
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