Thai Army chief Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha announced that military forces were seizing power from a caretaker government in order to restore order in a country that has been besieged by political chaos since late last year.

Prayuth declared on TV pool that leaders from rival political groups have been detained following a meeting meant to find a solution to the political crisis. He also formed the National Peacekeeping Committee to restore peace and order.

The military put the country under martial law two days ago. It is the country's 12th military coup since 1932.

"In order for the country to return to normal quickly the National Peace Keeping Committee comprised of the army, the Thai armed forces, the Royal Air Force and the police need to seize power as of May 22 at 4:30 pm," Prayut said.

He asked the public to go on their daily lives as usual.

Earlier in the day, Prayuth met with representatives from the ruling Pheu Thai Party, the opposition Democrat Party, the pro-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), the Senate and the Election Commission (EC) all presented their ideas to the Army chief.

The meeting, however, failed to reach a conclusion.

Reports said that after talks failed at 4:10pm, Prayuth ordered a break of the meeting and representatives of the five parties were taken away in over 10 vans to the First Infantry Regiment, located next to the Army Club.

Thailand coup: Yingluck meets military leaders

Ousted Thai leader Yingluck Shinawatra has arrived for talks with the military in Bangkok, a day after the army took power in a coup.

Ms Yingluck is one of more than 100 political figures summoned by the army.

The army has banned 155 people, including some politicians, from leaving the country.

On Thursday the military suspended the constitution, banned gatherings and detained politicians, saying order was needed after months of turmoil.

The coup, which followed months of anti-government protests, has drawn widespread international criticism.

The move came two days after the army declared martial law.

US Secretary of State John Kerry said there was "no justification" for the coup, adding that $10m (£6m) in bilateral aid could be suspended.

The UN expressed serious concern. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged a "prompt return to constitutional, civilian, democratic rule".

Thais, meanwhile, spent the night under a curfew which ran from 22:00 to 05:00. Bangkok was reported to be largely peaceful.

Protesters packed up and left the pro-government "red shirt" camp on Bangkok's western outskirts without violence.

Television has been restricted to broadcasts by the military. The BBC, CNN and other channels are off air.

'Work as normal'

Military leader General Prayuth Chan-Ocha - who has appointed himself the new prime minister - said troops were taking power "in order for the country to return to normal quickly".

"All Thais must remain calm and government officials must work as normal," he said in a televised address.

Political factions had been holding talks for two days. Several key figures, including opposition protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban and pro-government protest leader Jatuporn Prompan, were immediately detained.

The military then issued a bulletin spelling out the key points of the takeover:

Source: ANN/VNS/BBC