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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
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| Thai general sets 'PM deadline' | Thai general sets 'PM deadline' |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The leader of the military coup in Thailand has said a new prime minister will be named within two weeks. | The leader of the military coup in Thailand has said a new prime minister will be named within two weeks. |
| Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin told a news conference that new elections would take place in a year's time, once a new constitution had been written. | Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin told a news conference that new elections would take place in a year's time, once a new constitution had been written. |
| Tanks rolled into Bangkok late on Tuesday, and martial law was declared, with large gatherings of people banned. | Tanks rolled into Bangkok late on Tuesday, and martial law was declared, with large gatherings of people banned. |
| The UK's foreign office confirmed that Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was expected in London later on Wednesday. | The UK's foreign office confirmed that Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was expected in London later on Wednesday. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY I think there is actually a sense of relief that this has happened and they are rid of Mr Thaksin once and for all Roachie, Bangkok Send us your comments Your pictures: Thai coup Witnesses describe turmoil | HAVE YOUR SAY I think there is actually a sense of relief that this has happened and they are rid of Mr Thaksin once and for all Roachie, Bangkok Send us your comments Your pictures: Thai coup Witnesses describe turmoil |
| He was in New York as news of the coup emerged, and cancelled a planned speech to the UN General Assembly. | |
| The coup followed months of growing tension in Thailand, with protests against Mr Thaksin and a general election which was annulled due to concerns about its legitimacy. | The coup followed months of growing tension in Thailand, with protests against Mr Thaksin and a general election which was annulled due to concerns about its legitimacy. |
| So far, reporters in Thailand say the atmosphere remains calm and no outbreaks of violence have been reported. | So far, reporters in Thailand say the atmosphere remains calm and no outbreaks of violence have been reported. |
| New constitution | New constitution |
| In the news conference on Wednesday evening, Gen Sonthi claimed he was acting in line with the wishes of the Thai people, blaming government mismanagement for forcing coup leaders to act. | In the news conference on Wednesday evening, Gen Sonthi claimed he was acting in line with the wishes of the Thai people, blaming government mismanagement for forcing coup leaders to act. |
| But he denied the military wanted a permanent hold on power, attempting to reassure his audience by putting a deadline on how long he would remain in power. | But he denied the military wanted a permanent hold on power, attempting to reassure his audience by putting a deadline on how long he would remain in power. |
| Prime Minister [Thaksin] has caused an unprecedented rift in society Gen Sonthi BoonyaratglinCoup leader First statement in full Profile of coup leader | Prime Minister [Thaksin] has caused an unprecedented rift in society Gen Sonthi BoonyaratglinCoup leader First statement in full Profile of coup leader |
| "We have two weeks. After two weeks, we will step out," he said. | "We have two weeks. After two weeks, we will step out," he said. |
| He said coup leaders were considering candidates to appoint as the new prime minister, who would rule until fresh elections in a year's time. | He said coup leaders were considering candidates to appoint as the new prime minister, who would rule until fresh elections in a year's time. |
| In the interim, he said, a new national assembly would be appointed to draft a new, permanent constitution. | In the interim, he said, a new national assembly would be appointed to draft a new, permanent constitution. |
| He said "fellow countryman" Mr Thaksin would be welcome to return to his homeland, but warned he could face criminal charges for corruption. | He said "fellow countryman" Mr Thaksin would be welcome to return to his homeland, but warned he could face criminal charges for corruption. |
| In an earlier TV address on seizing power, Gen Sonthi said coup leaders had "agreed that the caretaker prime minister [Thaksin] has caused an unprecedented rift in society". | In an earlier TV address on seizing power, Gen Sonthi said coup leaders had "agreed that the caretaker prime minister [Thaksin] has caused an unprecedented rift in society". |
| The UK's foreign office has confirmed Mr Thaksin is expected in London, "as he has relatives in the UK". | The UK's foreign office has confirmed Mr Thaksin is expected in London, "as he has relatives in the UK". |
| Yellow ribbons | Yellow ribbons |
| In the capital Bangkok, tanks have cordoned off the government district. They have yellow ribbons tied around their barrels to signify loyalty to Thailand's revered king - who, Gen Sonthi said, had nothing to do with the coup. | In the capital Bangkok, tanks have cordoned off the government district. They have yellow ribbons tied around their barrels to signify loyalty to Thailand's revered king - who, Gen Sonthi said, had nothing to do with the coup. |
| The BBC's Kate McGeown in Bangkok says on the surface it is functioning as normal. But she says there is a strange quietness about the usually vibrant city. | The BBC's Kate McGeown in Bangkok says on the surface it is functioning as normal. But she says there is a strange quietness about the usually vibrant city. |
| Regional army commanders have been in charge of areas outside the capital, Bangkok, and Wednesday has been declared a public holiday. | Regional army commanders have been in charge of areas outside the capital, Bangkok, and Wednesday has been declared a public holiday. |
| 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. |
| The coup leaders have ordered provincial governors and heads of government agencies to report to them. They have also banned assemblies of more than five people, which are now punishable by six months in jail. | The coup leaders have ordered provincial governors and heads of government agencies to report to them. They have also banned assemblies of more than five people, which are now punishable by six months in jail. |
| A statement urged "farmers and workers" - an apparent reference to Mr Thaksin's rural base of support - to remain calm. | |
| In another move to defend against a counter-coup, a senior general said Mr Thaksin's main deputy, Chidchai Vanasathidya, had been "invited to stay" at Army headquarters on Tuesday night. | In another move to defend against a counter-coup, a senior general said Mr Thaksin's main deputy, Chidchai Vanasathidya, had been "invited to stay" at Army headquarters on Tuesday night. |
| Shock and concern | |
| Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister, Surakiart Sathirathai, told CNN Mr Thaksin was "constitutionally and legally elected" and should be returned to office. | |
| But Mr Thaksin's official spokesman, Surapong Suebwonglee, told Associated Press news agency: "We have to accept what happened. We are not coming back soon." | |
| Thailand's regional neighbours expressed shock and concern at the events, and the US urged Thais to resolve their differences peacefully. | |
| 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. |