The two conflicting parties – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban – would not have met on Sunday if Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha had not stepped in.

This is the first time Prayuth has played a role in the current political turmoil. Though the military side prefers to be seen as a “facilitator” or “mediator”, some observers considered the part it played in the talks as a silent coup. After all, a coup with soldiers and tanks would be quite unacceptable.

Read more: The Nation