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Thailand's military tightens grip Thailand's military tightens grip
(10 minutes later)
Thai military leaders have begun consolidating their hold on power after staging a coup while Prime Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was abroad.Thai military leaders have begun consolidating their hold on power after staging a coup while Prime Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was abroad.
Martial law has been declared, with large gatherings of people and critical news reporting banned.Martial law has been declared, with large gatherings of people and critical news reporting banned.
Mr Thaksin's deputy and chief aide, Chidchai Vanasathidya, has been taken into army custody.Mr Thaksin's deputy and chief aide, Chidchai Vanasathidya, has been taken into army custody.
Army chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin said in a TV address that the coup was necessary to unite the country.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 military had no intention of holding onto power, he added.
The coup leaders have announced that regional army commanders will take charge of areas outside the capital, Bangkok.The coup leaders have announced that regional army commanders will take charge of areas outside the capital, Bangkok.
They have also ordered provincial governors and heads of government agencies to report to them.They have also ordered provincial governors and heads of government agencies to report to them.
The country's stock market, banks and schools will be closed on Wednesday, which has been declared a public holiday.The country's stock market, banks and schools will be closed on Wednesday, which has been declared a public holiday.
If the caretaker government is allowed to govern, it will hurt the country Gen Sonthi BoonyaratglinCoup leader Statement in full If the caretaker government is allowed to govern, it will hurt the country Gen Sonthi BoonyaratglinCoup leader Statement in full href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/5361932.stm" class="">Profile of coup leader
BBC World, CNN and other international TV news channels have been taken off the air, while Thai stations have been broadcasting 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 been broadcasting footage of the royal family and patriotic songs.
Gen Sonthi made his brief address while flanked by the heads of the three services and the police, and backed by giant portraits of the king and queen,Gen Sonthi made his brief address while flanked by the heads of the three services and the police, and backed by giant portraits of the king and queen,
He said Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's policies had created serious divisions.He said Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's policies had created serious divisions.
"We have seized power. The constitution, the senate, the house of representatives, the cabinet and the constitutional court have all been terminated," he said."We have seized power. The constitution, the senate, the house of representatives, the cabinet and the constitutional court have all been terminated," he said.
"We agreed that the caretaker prime minister has caused an unprecedented rift in society, widespread corruption, nepotism, and interfered in independent agencies, crippling them so they cannot function."We agreed that the caretaker prime minister has caused an unprecedented rift in society, widespread corruption, nepotism, and interfered in independent agencies, crippling them so they cannot function.
"If the caretaker government is allowed to govern it will hurt the country."If the caretaker government is allowed to govern it will hurt the country.
"They have also repeatedly insulted the king. Thus the council needed to seize power to control the situation, to restore normality and to create unity as soon as possible.""They have also repeatedly insulted the king. Thus the council needed to seize power to control the situation, to restore normality and to create unity as soon as possible."
Mr Thaksin cancelled a speech he was due to give at the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday evening as news of the coup emerged.Mr Thaksin cancelled a speech he was due to give at the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday evening as news of the coup emerged.
It is unclear whether he intends to return home.It is unclear whether he intends to return home.
Declaration of loyaltyDeclaration of loyalty
Tuesday saw soldiers seize government offices in Bangkok and take up strategic positions around the city.Tuesday saw soldiers seize government offices in Bangkok and take up strategic positions around the city.
In pictures: Coup in Thailand Coup leaders' statements Britons in Bangkok warned
The rebels have visited King Bhumibol Adulyadej and declared loyalty to him.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.
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 commentsTroops 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.
Our correspondent says the coup is a surprising development for a country that had been viewed as one of Asia's leading democracies, and events in Thailand will have repercussions throughout the region.Our correspondent says the coup is a surprising development for a country that had been viewed as one of Asia's leading democracies, and events in Thailand will have repercussions throughout the region.
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.But government spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee, speaking from New York, said he was confident the coup would fail.