epa04215044 Thai Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha (2-L) speaks to journalists next to Navy Chief Adm Narong Pipattanasai (L), Air Chief Marshall Prachin Chantong (2-R) and Police Chief Adul Saengsingkaew (R), during a press conference at the Army Club in Bangkok, Thailand, 20 May 2014. Thai Army Chief Prayuth Chan-ocha early on 20 May 2014, declared martial law giving the military full control to prevent further protest-related violence in the country. The statement was issued about 3 am on 20 May (2000 GMT), according to local media reports. Prayuth has the authority to declare martial law without the consent of the government, which has had caretaker status since 09 December 2013. Thailand has been wracked by six months of non-stop protests seeking to topple the government. At least 25 people have died in political-related violence and more than 700 injured. EPA/RUNGROJ YONGRIT