Thai politics, in turmoil for several years, was thrown into crisis when the Royal Thai military
declared martial law on May 20, 2014. Two days later, the military ousted the civilian
government, and Army Commander Prayuth Chan-ocha seized power. The military dissolved
Parliament, detained political leaders and academics, imposed a curfew, and restricted media
outlets. Former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was placed under house arrest. (She was
later released.) There was no widespread bloodshed associated with the coup. However, sporadic
violence in the months prior left 28 people dead.