The powerful army chief, Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, announced the military takeover on television at about 5 p.m. Thursday. Prayuth, who is 60 and scheduled to retire in September, is notorious for flippant comments and gruff answers to the media.
Prayuth is known for his loyalty to the monarchy, especially to Queen Sirikit, having served in the 21st Infantry Regiment, known as the Queen’s Guard. Both Prayuth and his predecessor and mentor, former army chief Gen. Anupong Phaochinda, played key roles in the 2006 coup that toppled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Yingluck’s brother.