Thailand
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Military leaders take control in bloodless Thai coup
The Thai armed forces have seized power without firing a shot, dismissed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's Government, revoked the constitution and promised a swift return to democracy after political reforms.
A coup spokesman said Dr Thaksin was being ousted to resolve a nearly year-long political deadlock and stop "rampant corruption".
General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, overwhelmingly Buddhist Thailand's first Muslim army commander-in-chief, took the reins of power without a government title.
Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer has expressed his concern about the military takeover in Thailand and the imposition of martial law.
"At least it appears the military have simply seized power, they have not allowed the Prime Minister back into the country, we will have to wait and learn a bit more, but apparently according to our ambassador, who I have spoken to twice during the night, martial law has been introduced," he told AM.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has upgraded its travel advisory for Thailand, warning Australians to reconsider their need to travel to the country.
Thaksin cut-off
Initially, Dr Thaksin tried to head off the coup by telephoning a Thai television station from New York to announce a state of emergency.
The transmission stopped after 10 minutes while he was still talking, but his spokesman said the army could not succeed and "we're in control".
Within hours, however, Dr Thaksin cancelled the speech he was to give to the UN General Assembly and spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee told Reuters by telephone the situation had changed and Dr Thaksin was "considering whether to return to Thailand".
A coup spokesman said the army and police were in firm control after tanks and troops took over Government House in Thailand's first coup in 15 years, but its 18th since it became a constitutional monarchy in 1932.
King informed
The heads of the armed forces went to the palace to report to King Bhumibol Adulyadej - a move likely to dampen any agitation in the countryside where Dr Thaksin's support is strong but the King is revered.
Television also showed documentaries of King Bhumibol in the countryside, promoting his development projects, which have added to the reverence in which he is held.
Armoured vehicles and soldiers took up position on many street corners, but life in most of Bangkok continued much as usual with traffic moving through rain drenched streets and the airport operating normally.
The seizure would be temporary and power "returned to the people" soon, coup spokesman retired Lieutenant-General Prapart Sakuntanak said on all Thai television channels.
"Never in Thai history have the people been so divided," Lt Gen Prapart said.
"The majority of people had become suspicious of this administration, which is running the country through rampant corruption," he added.
"Independent bodies have been interfered with so much they could not perform in line within the spirit of the constitution."
The army told all soldiers to report to base and banned unauthorised troop movements, suggesting the military leadership was worried that Thaksin loyalists might attempt a counter-coup.
The armed forces also announced that Wednesday would be a government, bank and market holiday in the interests of maintaining calm.
Foreign news channels, including CNN and the BBC, were taken off the air.
Lt Gen Prapart said the armed forces and police had set up a body to decide on political reforms, ousting billionaire telecoms tycoon Dr Thaksin in the midst of a political crisis stemming from accusations he had subverted democracy.
-Reuters
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