Thai Military Dissolves Senate Amid Anti-Coup Protests

Thailand's military announced it would dissolve the Senate on Saturday, effectively nixing the country's last democratic fixture two days after the army seized power in a coup d'etat.

Coup leaders consolidated their control of the country over the weekend, confirming they would now accept all lawmaking responsibilities, the Associated Press reported.

It is not known why the junta left the Senate intact after dissolving Parliament's lower house and suspending the constitution on Thursday, nor the reason for its sudden turnaround.

Thailand's military detains former prime minister, bars leaders from leaving the country. Read more here.

Earlier in the week, Thailand's army leader, Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, declared martial law, but initially denied staging a military coup until Thursday, when he acknowledged the country's 12th coup in eight decades and affirmed his status as interim acting Prime Minister.

In a televised broadcast, the junta imposed a 10PM curfew, banned public gatherings of more than five people, began monitoring Internet use to crackdown on intentions to incite political unrest and severely restricted traditional reporting of the fallout.

Shortly after Prayuth's broadcast on Thursday, a media blackout was extended to television stations across the capital, and in homes, channels were replaced with static TV screens accompanied by soothing Thai music.

Documenting Thailand's Situation Through Social Media

Thai citizens have been active in documenting the evolving political situation on social media.

Some told VICE News they reported feeling safe while walking the streets before curfew, while others took selfies with soldiers as they stood beside hummers and carried machine guns by the side of the road.

The complex consequences of Thai coup selfies. Read more here.

The controlling measures, the military claim, are aimed at hampering more violence and protests in Thailand's ongoing political struggle between the elected populist government supported by the country's rural poor majority and anti government demonstrators bolstered by the country's elite.

But on Friday, hundreds of anti-coup activists rallied outside the Bangkok arts and cultural center, defying the new anti-gathering rules. The protests came as the army detained former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and dozens of other political figures to give them "time to think."

At least three demonstrators were arrested and the crowd dispersed after soldiers were captured on video pushing protesters and journalists away from the center. Journalists and activists have continued to upload footage of protests to social media, despite the warnings.

Shinawatra was removed from office earlier this month following a corruption hearing on abuse of power charges, which the former leader still denies. She is currently being held alongside cabinet ministers and anti-government protest leaders in an undisclosed location.

Thailand military detains former prime minister, bars leaders from leaving the country. Read more here.

An army spokesman told the Associated Press Saturday the leaders have had their phones confiscated and will be held for up to a week.

Anti-coup demonstrations resumed Saturday morning, with protesters amassing near Bangkok's Victory Monument carrying placards reading, "Junta get out" and "No coup."

Meanwhile, the US has suspended $3.5 million in military aid to Thailand, the State Department announced Friday. Washington has urged the country to safely and expediently restore democracy and a civilian government.

Follow Liz Fields on Twitter: @lianzifields