Story highlights Representatives of pro- and anti- government groups are attending the meeting

The army chief has said he wants to resolve the political crisis through dialogue

Human rights activists criticize the use of martial law

The country has been hit by protests and the recent removal of a prime minister

A day after declaring martial law, the Thai military is holding a meeting Wednesday with key parties involved in the political unrest that has beset the country for the past six months.

The deep-seated tensions in Thailand have in recent months caused deadly clashes, paralyzed parts of the capital city and brought down a prime minister.

The military, which has a long history of interfering in Thai politics, stepped into the fray Tuesday with its sudden declaration that it was stepping in, a move it carried out without giving any warning to the acting prime minister.

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Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – Thai anti-coup activist Sombat Boonngamanong, center, gestures as he arrives escorted by police and soldiers at a military court in Bangkok on Thursday, June 12. The prominent anti-coup figure faces up to 14 years in prison if convicted of incitement, computer crimes and ignoring a summons by the junta, police said. The Thai military carried out a coup May 22 after months of unrest had destabilized the country's elected government and caused outbursts of deadly violence in Bangkok. Hide Caption 1 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – Officials clean a canal on Friday, June 6, outside Thai Government House in Bangkok in an area anti-government protesters occupied for months. Human-rights activists and foreign governments criticized the military's intervention, but life in Thailand has resumed to something approaching normal while the political situation remains in flux. Hide Caption 2 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – Thai soldiers entertain people with songs at Victory Monument in Bangkok on Thursday, June 5. The junta is waging a propaganda campaign to encourage "national happiness" following the coup that severely restricted civil liberties. Hide Caption 3 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – Passengers on a bus watch soldiers entertain the crowds at Bangkok's Victory Monument on June 5. Hide Caption 4 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – Police secure an area inside the Australian Embassy in Bangkok on Wednesday, June 4. Hide Caption 5 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – A protester adopts the three-fingered salute from "The Hunger Games" during an anti-coup demonstration in front of the Australian Embassy in Bangkok on June 4. Hide Caption 6 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – Soldiers pull barbed wire from a canal near the Thai Government House during a cleanup operation June 4 in Bangkok. Hide Caption 7 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – Thai police officers leave the Victory Monument after they finish guarding it Tuesday, June 3, in Bangkok. Hide Caption 8 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – Protesters flash the three-finger salute while shouting during an anti-coup demonstration in Bangkok on Sunday, June 1. Hide Caption 9 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – A protester holds up three fingers during an anti-coup demonstration at a Bangkok shopping mall on June 1. Hide Caption 10 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – Thai soldiers are deployed at a busy intersection in Bangkok on June 1. Hide Caption 11 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – Onlookers at a Bangkok shopping mall watch as protesters shout "Freedom!" and "Democracy!" on June 1. Hide Caption 12 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – Thai soldiers guard a bus stop area to prevent an anti-coup demonstration in Bangkok on Thursday, May 29. Hide Caption 13 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – A man participates in an anti-coup demonstration in Bangkok on Wednesday, May 28. Hide Caption 14 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – A protester throws a garbage can at a line of Thai soldiers during an anti-coup demonstration in Bangkok on May 28. Hide Caption 15 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – Military police stand guard during an anti-coup demonstration at the Victory Monument in Bangkok on Tuesday, May 27. Hide Caption 16 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – Anti-coup demonstrators gather at the Victory Monument to protest the military coup as Thai soldiers stand guard in Bangkok on May 27. Hide Caption 17 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – Thai soldiers arrest ousted Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand in Bangkok on May 27. Hide Caption 18 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – Thai soldiers receive roses from coup supporters at a military base in Bangkok on May 27. Since taking power, military authorities have summoned -- and in some cases detained -- scores of political officials and other prominent figures. Hide Caption 19 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – Two protesters stand in front riot police during an anti-coup demonstration in Bangkok on Monday, May 26. Demonstrators have taken to the streets in opposition to the coup, while some Thais express hope the military will bring an end to the political crisis. Hide Caption 20 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – An anti-coup protester faces riot police during a May 26 rally in Bangkok. Hide Caption 21 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – Thai police take a woman away from an anti-coup protest in Bangkok on May 26. Hide Caption 22 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – A protester confronts soldiers in riot gear during an anti-coup rally Sunday, May 25, in Bangkok. Hide Caption 23 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – Thai soldiers are surrounded by anti-coup protesters on May 25 during a demonstration in Bangkok. Hide Caption 24 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – A Thai soldier, citing safety reasons, apologies to pedestrians after he closes the fence to an overpass during an anti-coup demonstration in Bangkok on May 25. Hide Caption 25 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – Thai soldiers stand behind their riot shields as protesters threaten them May 25 in Bangkok. Hide Caption 26 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – Protesters chant slogans during an anti-coup rally May 25 in Bangkok. Hide Caption 27 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – An anti-coup protester is detained by Thai police officers during a protest in Bangkok on Saturday, May 24. Hide Caption 28 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – Thai soldiers link arms as they monitor a protest outside a Bangkok shopping complex on May 24. Hide Caption 29 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – Thai soldiers patrol near a rally site for pro-government demonstrators on the outskirts of Bangkok on Thursday, May 22. Hide Caption 30 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – Thai soldiers stand guard at a checkpoint outside of Bangkok on May 22. Hide Caption 31 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – A Buddhist monk walks past a Thai soldier near a pro-government demonstration on the outskirts of Bangkok on Wednesday, May 21. Hide Caption 32 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – Thai soldiers guard the Thai police headquarters in Bangkok on Tuesday, May 20. Hide Caption 33 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – Thai soldiers stand guard outside the Government Public Relations Department in Bangkok on May 20. Hide Caption 34 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – Anti-government protesters listen to their national anthem during a gathering in Bangkok on May 20. Hide Caption 35 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – Office workers walk past armed soldiers outside the Shinawatra Tower Two office building in Bangkok on May 20. Hide Caption 36 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – A soldier grips his gun outside the Government Public Relations Department building on May 20. Hide Caption 37 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – Soldiers hold their positions outside the Government Public Relations Department building on May 20. Hide Caption 38 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – A soldier stands guard outside the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order in Bangkok on May 20. Hide Caption 39 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – Military police officers walk outside the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand offices in Bangkok on May 20. King Bhumibol Adulyadej is pictured on the building. Hide Caption 40 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – Thai soldiers walk into the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand building on May 20. All Thai TV stations were being guarded by the military. Hide Caption 41 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – Soldiers sit in the lobby of the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand building on May 20. Hide Caption 42 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – Soldiers secure the Ratchaprasong intersection in Bangkok on May 20. Hide Caption 43 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – A group of soldiers gathers outside the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order on May 20. Hide Caption 44 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – Military police officers walk in front of the Thai TV 3 offices in Bangkok on May 20. In a statement read on Thai television, the military declared that all of the country's radio and television stations must suspend their normal programs "when it is needed." Hide Caption 45 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – A soldier stands outside the Government Public Relations Department building on May 20. Hide Caption 46 of 47 Photos: Photos: Military coup in Thailand Military coup in Thailand – An anti-government protester waves a Thai national flag during a march through streets of Bangkok on Monday, May 19. Martial law went into effect at 3 a.m. the next morning. Hide Caption 47 of 47

Military officials denied that their intervention, which has deepened uncertainty over the country's future, was a coup. But human rights activists warned that the imposition of martial law is a major step away from democracy and lacks safeguards.

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Troops took up positions at key intersections in Bangkok and outside the offices of TV stations. The military said that all of the country's radio and television stations must suspend their normal programs "when it is needed."

But daily life continued without major disruptions across many parts of the capital. By Wednesday, military vehicles had left some areas where they'd been stationed a day earlier.

Military as mediator

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An aide to acting Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan described the declaration of martial law as "half a coup d'etat."

The army chief, Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, said at a news conference Tuesday that he wanted "all political parties" to start a dialogue aimed at ending the protracted political crisis, saying the military "won't allow any bloodshed."

"We cannot keep having" conflict, Prayuth said. But he wouldn't say when martial law would end.

The general has placed himself in the role of mediator between two deeply opposed camps: the Bangkok elites who have supported demonstrations against the party of former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and the pro-government red shirt movement whose large support base is strongest in the north and northeast of Thailand.

Among those invited the meeting Wednesday are the chairman of the election commission, the acting senate house speaker, the leader of the governing Pheu Thai party, the leader of the opposition Democrat Party, the leader of the anti-government protesters and the leader of the red shirts.

Top officials began arriving Wednesday afternoon at the venue for the talks, the Army Club in Bangkok.

Months of instability

Thailand has been hit by a series of bouts of political unrest over the past decade.

The current phase of turmoil was triggered in November by Yingluck's botched attempt to pass an amnesty bill that would have allowed the return of her brother Thaksin Shinawatra, another former prime minister who lives in exile and polarizes opinions in Thailand. Thaksin was deposed by a military coup in 2006.

Groups opposed to the government seized on the amnesty bill furor and began large-scale protests in central areas of Bangkok.

In an attempt to defuse the tensions, Yingluck called an early election. But the Democrat Party boycotted the February election, and Yingluck's opponents blocked voting in enough districts to prevent a valid outcome.

The leaders of the anti-government demonstrators say that elections, which the Shinawatra family's populist Pheu Thai party is highly likely to win, aren't the way to resolve the crisis. They say they want the establishment of an unelected "people's council" that would oversee political changes.

Yingluck, who first took office in 2011 stayed on after the disrupted election as a caretaker prime minister. But the Constitutional Court forced her from office two weeks ago, finding her guilty of violating the constitution over the appointments of top security officials. Yingluck has denied breaking the law.

Her removal from office has angered the red shirts, who say they see it as a judicial coup.

Large protest camps by pro- and anti-government groups remain in different areas of Bangkok.