U.S. leads international community in condemning army coup in Thailand

The United States has led the international community in condemning the military takeover in Thailand as that South-East Asian nation spent its first night under curfew.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said there was no justification for the coup, and warned that Washington could seriously consider suspending the USD 10 million in bilateral aid because of this unacceptable development.

According to the BBC, France and Germany also condemned the coup, while the United Nations expressed serious concern.

The Thai Army on Thursday suspended the constitution, banned gatherings and detained politicians, saying order was needed after months of turmoil.

The military had declared martial law on Tuesday. Two days later, it gathered political leaders together in Bangkok for talks on the crisis. However, army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha then went on TV to announce the coup.

Acting PM Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisan was not at the talks and his whereabouts are unclear.