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Thai leaders ban political action Thai leaders ban political action
(30 minutes later)
Thailand's new leaders have banned all meetings and other activities by political parties, two days after taking power in a military coup.Thailand's new leaders have banned all meetings and other activities by political parties, two days after taking power in a military coup.
A statement read on TV said the action had been taken to maintain order. No timeframe was given for the ban.A statement read on TV said the action had been taken to maintain order. No timeframe was given for the ban.
Meanwhile opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva challenged the military with a call for elections in six months. Ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra said he would take a "deserved rest", but called for quick elections.
Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva challenged the military's timeframe and called for elections in six months.
Coup leader Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin has proposed a year-long transitional period as a constitution is drafted.Coup leader Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin has proposed a year-long transitional period as a constitution is drafted.
People returned to work for the first time on Thursday since PM Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted in Tuesday's bloodless takeover. People returned to work on Thursday for the first time since PM Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted in Tuesday's bloodless takeover.
Tanks are still patrolling Bangkok's streets but the military presence is now less visible.Tanks are still patrolling Bangkok's streets but the military presence is now less visible.
'Clarification needed''Clarification needed'
The BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says the ban on parties is quite a worrying indication for a coup which was supposed to be light and smooth.The BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says the ban on parties is quite a worrying indication for a coup which was supposed to be light and smooth.
The country has to move forward and the best way forward is for the coup leaders to quickly return power to the people and carry out reforms they promised Abhisit VejjajivaOpposition leader The order also banned the formation of new parties. The country has to move forward and the best way forward is for the coup leaders to quickly return power to the people and carry out reforms they promised Abhisit VejjajivaOpposition leader
The order also banned the formation of new parties.
The statement said the order would be reversed when normality returned.The statement said the order would be reversed when normality returned.
Public gatherings of more than five people are already forbidden under martial law, imposed when the military first took power.Public gatherings of more than five people are already forbidden under martial law, imposed when the military first took power.
Correspondents say no open opposition to the coup has emerged.Correspondents say no open opposition to the coup has emerged.
Mr Abhisit , who leads the Democrat party, the main opposition to Mr Shinawatra, said he was not overly alarmed by the new measure but wanted clarification. But Mr Shinawatra, speaking from London, called for national reconciliation.
In an interview for Reuters news agency before the announcement, he said he did not support any kind of extra-constitutional change. "We hope the new regime will quickly arrange a new general election and continue to uphold the principles of democracy for the future of all Thais," a statement said.
Mr Abhisit, who leads the Democrat party, the main opposition to Mr Shinawatra, said he was not overly alarmed by the coup leaders' new measure but wanted clarification.
In an interview for Reuters news agency, before the announcement, he said he did not support any kind of extra-constitutional change.
He denied that a new constitution was needed, and said elections could be held in six months.He denied that a new constitution was needed, and said elections could be held in six months.
"The country has to move forward and the best way forward is for the coup leaders to quickly return power to the people and carry out reforms they promised," he said."The country has to move forward and the best way forward is for the coup leaders to quickly return power to the people and carry out reforms they promised," he said.
Government mismanagement
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 people of Bangkok largely seem to have welcomed the coupIn pictures
Gen Boonyaratglin has said he was acting in line with the wishes of the Thai people, blaming government mismanagement.
He has promised to appoint a new prime minister within two weeks, and said the interim government would draft a new constitution with the aim of restoring democracy within a year.
In Bangkok, where Mr Thaksin is unpopular, many people have welcomed the news of the coup.
In the countryside the picture is less certain, as most of Mr Thaksin's support base is among the rural poor.
Internationally, though, news of the coup has been condemned.
White House press secretary Tony Snow said the US was "disappointed", adding that talks on a US free trade agreement with Thailand depended on a swift return to democracy.
According to Thai state TV, Thailand's revered head of state, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, has given his backing to Gen Sonthi.
The general is believed to be close to the king, although he says the monarch had nothing to do with the actual coup.
Correspondents in Bangkok say securing the endorsement of the 78-year-old monarch is crucial to the success of the military intervention.