In Thailand, the army has detained ousted Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra a day after overthrowing the country’s caretaker government in a coup.

The sister of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra had been summoned with several other politicians for a meeting earlier on Friday to a military complex north of Bangkok. After several hours of talks Ms Yingluck was later reportedly taken away to an undisclosed location.

The US, which has condemned the power grab along with a host of other countries, called for the detainees immediate release.

Elsewhere, as Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha moved to consolidate his grip on power, many Thais in Bangkok defied martial law to protest against the takeover.

The head of the army launched his coup, claiming it was necessary to restore order and normality, after Thailand’s rival factions refused to give ground following months of protests.

Earlier, Prayuth also summoned political and business leaders to Bangkok’s Army Club, reportedly appointing six of Thailand’s most senior military officers to run the country.