The Royal Thai Army placed all of Thailand under Martial Law before dawn Tuesday "to keep law and order" amid a political crisis the military sees is spiraling out of control.

The military took pains to explain it was not staging a coup d'etat. A message on Royal Thai Army Radio and Television or TV5 read: "Army is to ensure the safety of all sides ... no need to worry." It said businesses could open today.

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The army also gave itself wide-ranging powers to enforce Martial Law throughout Thailand.

The declaration of Martial Law came after anti-government protesters declared they were moving to replace the leaderless national government. Last May 7, the Constitutional Court removed Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and some ministers from office in consequence of a controversial transfer of a top security officer in 2011.

The declaration of Martial Law was announced by Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army. Gen. Chan-ocha, 60, is a royalist and a known opponent of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The military statement declaring Martial Law signed by Gen. Chan-Ocha cited a 1914 law that gives the military the authority to intervene during times of crisis. The military said it had taken the action because on-going mass rallies between political rivals "could impact the country's security and safety of the lives and properties of the public."

Gen. Chan-Ocha placed the Royal Thai Armed Forces on high alert Monday after issuing a warning his soldiers would use force to prevent violence.

At dawn today, soldiers seized Thailand's main television broadcaster and fanned-out to control other key areas in Bangkok, including Bangkok's Victory Monument where anti-government protesters have been protesting for months.

The Royal Thai Armed Forces has staged 18 coups or attempted coups since the 1930s. Eleven of these coups were successful.

Political analysts said the government likely favors Martial Law as long as the military does not stage a coup. They argued that new elections are the only way to break a political impasse that has crippled the government and slowed down the growth of the economy.

The declaration of Martial Law came after six months of anti-government demonstrations that began in November 2013 aimed at ousting the government and one day after Thailand's Acting Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan refused to step down.

Anti-government protesters have been demanding the resignation of the government and appointment of an interim prime minister and administration to run Thailand for up to two years during a reform period.

Months of anti-government demonstrations across Thailand have killed 28 people and left hundreds wounded.

TagsNews, Thailand, Martial Law