DHAKA: Thailand’s army chief is to hold talks with key players in the political crisis, a day after declaring martial law in the protest-hit nation.

General Prayuth Chan-Ocha has asked to meet the government, the Senate speaker and the two main protest factions.

After the talks it could become clearer whether the military will restrict itself to security or extend its powers, BBC reports.

On Tuesday, the acting prime minister appealed to the army to act peacefully.

Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisan also said he had asked for new elections to be called for August, after a snap poll in February was annulled.

The army chief would meet the representatives of all the factions together, an army spokesman said, starting from 13:30 (06:30 GMT).

‘General Prayuth has called a meeting at the Army Club with all sides to talk about ways out of the country’s crisis,’ Winthai Suvaree told media.

BDST: 0111 HRS, MAY 21, 2014