Thai army says declaration of martial law not tantamount to coup

Thailand's Army has reportedly declared martial law throughout the country but is insisting that the move is not a coup.

Describing the situation as "half a coup d'etat," Lt. Gen. Nipat Thonglek, an aide to the country's embattled prime minister, said that the army took the action unilaterally and the government is having a special meeting regarding this, the CNN reports.

Thonglek said that the government will have to wait and watch and see if the army chief honors his declaration of impartiality.

A ticker running on the army's television channel urged people not to panic and said that the army's aim was to maintain peace, order and public safety for all groups and all parties.

The ticker also read that declaring martial law is not a coup d'etat.

Meanwhile, in a statement read on Thai television, the military declared that all of the country's radio and television stations must suspend their normal programs "when it is needed," the report said.