Thailand coup: Army tells protesters to go home

A Thai soldier carries chairs past a member of the pro-government "red shirt" group at an encampment in Nakhon Pathom province on the outskirts of Bangkok on Thursday, May 22, 2014. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
A Thai soldier carries chairs past a member of the pro-government "red shirt" group at an encampment in Nakhon Pathom province on the outskirts of Bangkok on Thursday, May 22, 2014. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

BANGKOK (REUTERS) - Thailand's army on Thursday ordered protesters from rival political groups on the streets of Bangkok to go home and said the military would provide transport.

Deputy army spokesman Winthai Suvaree gave the order in a televised statement after the army said it was taking control of the government following months of political turmoil.

A Reuters photographer said pro-government "red shirts" had mostly vacated their rally site on the western outskirts of the capital, Bangkok.

Another Reuters photographer said rival anti-government protesters did not appear to be leaving their central Bangkok rally site in large numbers.

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