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| Thailand's military tightens grip | Thailand's military tightens grip |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Thai military leaders have begun consolidating their hold on power after staging a coup while the prime minister was at the UN General Assembly. | |
| Martial law has been declared, and the coup leaders have announced that regional commanders will take charge of areas outside the capital, Bangkok. | Martial law has been declared, and the coup leaders have announced that regional commanders will take charge of areas outside the capital, Bangkok. |
| Army chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin said in a TV address that the coup was necessary to unite the country. | |
| The military had no intention of holding onto power, he added. | |
| The coup leaders have ordered provincial governors and heads of government agencies to report to them in the coming hours. | |
| The country's stock market, banks and schools will be closed on Wednesday. | The country's stock market, banks and schools will be closed on Wednesday. |
| BBC World, CNN and other international TV news channels have been taken off the air, while Thai stations have broadcast footage of the royal family and patriotic songs. | BBC World, CNN and other international TV news channels have been taken off the air, while Thai stations have broadcast footage of the royal family and patriotic songs. |
| Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra cancelled a speech he was due to give at the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday evening. | Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra cancelled a speech he was due to give at the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday evening. |
| It is unclear whether he intends to return home. | It is unclear whether he intends to return home. |
| The coup leaders insist that power will be returned to the people. | The coup leaders insist that power will be returned to the people. |
| Declaration of loyalty | Declaration of loyalty |
| In Bangkok, Tuesday saw soldiers seize government offices and take up strategic positions around the city. | In Bangkok, Tuesday saw soldiers seize government offices and take up strategic positions around the city. |
| In pictures: Coup in Thailand class="">Coup leaders' statements class="">Britons in Bangkok warned | |
| In a broadcast on all Thai television channels, the leadership of the armed forces said it had taken control of Bangkok, declared nationwide martial law and ordered all troops to return to their bases. | In a broadcast on all Thai television channels, the leadership of the armed forces said it had taken control of Bangkok, declared nationwide martial law and ordered all troops to return to their bases. |
| The rebels have visited King Bhumibol Adulyadej and declared loyalty to him. | |
| Many of the soldiers on the streets are wearing yellow armbands to signify loyalty to the king. | Many of the soldiers on the streets are wearing yellow armbands to signify loyalty to the king. |
| King Bhumibol, who is highly revered by Thais, has made no comment about whether he backs the takeover attempt. | King Bhumibol, who is highly revered by Thais, has made no comment about whether he backs the takeover attempt. |
| But there has been some negative reaction from abroad. | But there has been some negative reaction from abroad. |
| The EU's Finnish presidency expressed "grave concern" at events, and the US called on Thais "to resolve their political differences in a peaceful manner". | The EU's Finnish presidency expressed "grave concern" at events, and the US called on Thais "to resolve their political differences in a peaceful manner". |
| Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said he deeply regretted the fact that the coup had taken place, while New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark urged politicians and military to resolve their differences democratically. | Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said he deeply regretted the fact that the coup had taken place, while New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark urged politicians and military to resolve their differences democratically. |
| UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said the organisation supported changes of government through democratic means rather than by the barrel of a gun. | UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said the organisation supported changes of government through democratic means rather than by the barrel of a gun. |
| 'Unease' | 'Unease' |
| Pressure had been growing on the prime minister to resign, including from groups close to King Bhumibol, following a political impasse in which April's general election was declared invalid. | Pressure had been growing on the prime minister to resign, including from groups close to King Bhumibol, following a political impasse in which April's general election was declared invalid. |
| Troops and guys dressed in Swat-style gear are strolling around Russell Miles, Bangkok Witnesses describe turmoil Send us your comments | Troops and guys dressed in Swat-style gear are strolling around Russell Miles, Bangkok Witnesses describe turmoil Send us your comments |
| But the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok reports that while many people wanted Mr Thaksin out of office, there will be unease about the way this has happened, and people will be looking to see whether the king has supported the coup. | But the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok reports that while many people wanted Mr Thaksin out of office, there will be unease about the way this has happened, and people will be looking to see whether the king has supported the coup. |
| It is the first coup attempt in 15 years in a country where they used to be commonplace. There were 17 of them between 1932 and 1991. | It is the first coup attempt in 15 years in a country where they used to be commonplace. There were 17 of them between 1932 and 1991. |
| Opposition Senator Mechai Viravaidya welcomed Mr Thaksin's departure, despite doubts about the methods used. | Opposition Senator Mechai Viravaidya welcomed Mr Thaksin's departure, despite doubts about the methods used. |
| "I'm delighted he's gone," he said. "It would have been great if he had resigned voluntarily, but apparently he was too stubborn. But at least it's better than an assassination." | "I'm delighted he's gone," he said. "It would have been great if he had resigned voluntarily, but apparently he was too stubborn. But at least it's better than an assassination." |
| But government spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee, speaking from New York, said he was confident the coup would fail, "because democracy in Thailand has developed to some ... measure of maturity". | |