Thailand's military hosted ground-breaking talks on May 21 between warring political rivals after imposing martial law to prevent the deeply divided kingdom degenerating into another “Ukraine or Egypt”.

Thailand's army chief Gen. Prayuth Chan-Ocha assumed the role of mediator Wednesday by summoning the country's key political rivals for face-to-face talks one day after imposing martial law. The meeting ended without any resolution, however, underscoring the profound challenge the army faces in trying to end the country's crisis.