Holding roses that people brought to greet them, Thai soldiers guard the area near the Victory Monument in Bangkok, Thailand. Armed troops detained a Thai Cabinet minister who defiantly emerged from hiding on Tuesday to condemn last week’s military coup and urge a return to civilian rule, in the first public appearance by any member of the ousted government. Wason Wanichakorn/AP Protesters hold signs in front of a line of soldier during a city center anti-coup rally in Bangkok. Martial law has been declared across Thailand, with a nighttime curfew being enforced sporadically, which is having an impact on some street traders and small businesses. Army chief and coup leader General Prayuth reportedly has received the royal endorsement after the May 22 coup and has stated his intention to return stability to Thailand, which has seen months of political unrest and protests that have claimed at least 28 lives. Rufus Cox/Getty A Thai protester points a finger at the military during an anti-coup protests as General Prayuth receives the royal endorsement in Bangkok. Thailand has seen many months of political unrest and violence, which has claimed at least 28 lives. Known as a country with a very unstable political record, Thailand is experiencing its 12th coup, with seven attempted previous coups. The present coup leaders have detained former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, along with Cabinet members and other anti-government protest leaders, for up to a week. Paula Bronstein/Getty Soldiers detain a protester at a shopping district in central Bangkok. Thailand’s military tightened its grip on power on Sunday as it moved to douse smouldering protests fueled by social media and rally commercial agencies and business to revitalize the country’s battered economy. Erik de Castro/Reuters Thai military stand behind their riot shields as protesters threaten them during an anti-coup protest on the third day of the military coup in Bangkok. Paula Bronstein/Getty Demonstrators against military rule march toward the Victory Monument in Bangkok. Erik de Castro/Reuters A protester (L), who was briefly detained and then released, walks back toward others protesting against military rule near the Victory Monument in Bangkok. Former Thai prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra was in a “safe place” on Saturday, an aide said, after being held by the army following a coup, as opposition to the takeover grew among her supporters and pro-democracy activists. Damir Sagolj/Reuters Thai army soldiers look on as protesters march during an anti-coup rally in Bangkok. Several hundred protesters defied a ban on public assembly by the ruling military to demonstrate in the city center. The Thai capital has seen several anti-coup rallies since the military seized control on May 22. Rufus Cox/Getty A demonstrator with messages written on her palms protests at the Victory Monument in central Bangkok. Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters Thai anti-coup protesters gather in Bangkok despite the declaration of martial law. The army chief announced May 22 that the armed forces were seizing power in a nonviolent coup. Vinai Dithajohn/Anadolu Agency, via Getty Thai army soldiers stand guard at the main entrance of the pro-government “Red Shirts” rally site after they shut it down and cleared protesters from the site, following an announcement by Thailand’s army chief that the armed forces were seizing power. Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty Anti-government protesters celebrate as they board buses at the Royal Plaza to take them back home after a coup was declared in Bangkok. Thailand’s army chief, Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, took control of the government in the coup on Thursday, saying the army had to restore order and push through reforms, two days after he declared martial law. Damir Sagolj/Reuters Thai commuters wait for taxis or motorbike taxis as they rush home after a curfew was imposed following the Thai army chief’s announcement that armed forces were seizing power in Bangkok. Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty Thai soldiers man a checkpoint near a pro-government “Red Shirt” supporters encampment in the suburbs of Bangkok. Thailand’s army declared martial law nationwide on Tuesday to restore order after six months of street protests that have left the country without a functioning government. Damir Sagolj/Reuters