As a consequence to the military coup in Thailand, the United States is suspending $3.5 million in military aid as a consequence, the State Department announced Friday, according to the Associated Press.
Secretary of State John Kerry announced the review hours after Thursday's military takeover in Thailand, a U.S. treaty ally and close military partner, the AP reported. On Thursday, Kerry said there was no justification for the coup and urged the immediate restoration of civilian government and a return to democracy.
State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said the department is still reviewing a further $7 million in direct U.S. assistance to Thailand, as well an undetermined amount of aid from other global and regional programs, the AP reported. Harf added the suspended programs pay for weapons sales and training for military officers.
After the military declared martial law on Tuesday, Washington immediately urged an early return to democracy and free and fair elections, according to the AP. General Prayuth Chan-ocha took power shortly after.
Thailand's army chief Chan-ocha seized control of the government two days after he declared martial law, saying the military had to restore order and push through reforms after six months of turmoil, the AP reported.
The military declared a curfew from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m., suspended the constitution and detained some politicians, according to the AP.
Ousted members of the former government surrendered and soldiers forcefully dispersed hundreds of anti-coup activists who defied a ban on large-scale gatherings to protest the army's action, the AP reported.
The declaration of the coup has underscored the limited leverage the U.S. has with Thailand, despite their longstanding ties, the AP reported. After Thailand's last military coup in 2006, the U.S. suspended programs for a year-and-a-half, totaling more than $29 million, according to the Congressional Research Service.
