On May 22^nd, Thailand’s army took over its own government and declared martial law. This occurred after six months of political unrest as people took to the streets to protest Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

30 people were killed and 700 injured during the protesting period, and the army stepped in, saying that the coup was necessary in order to bring peace to the kingdom.

This was not the first coup in Thailand’s history, but the most recent occurrence of a massive string of attempted and successful coups, starting in 1932 with the overthrowing of Thailand’s last absolute ruler.

The military leaders now call themselves the National Council for Peace and Order, and recently received royal endorsement from King Bhumibol. They dissolved both the Senate and the Lower House, essentially placing all legislative power into the hands of the army.

General Prayuth, the junta leader, detained dozens of prominent politicians, journalists, and businessmen.

What’s next? The country exists in a state of political purgatory as the army has declared its legitimacy for governance for the next year.