Coup As Army Seizes Power in Thailand

Thailand was thrown into turmoil yesterday when the army sent tanks and troops into the capital to wrest power from the prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, while he was attending the United Nations general assembly in New York.

In the first military intervention for 15 years in the notoriously coup-prone country, the army threw a cordon of tanks round the government offices in Bangkok, seized control of television stations, and revoked the constitution. The coup leaders ordered all soldiers not involved to remain in their barracks. Hundreds of soldiers were deployed at crossroads and outside hotels and near the royal palace.

The coup met no resistance and went largely unnoticed in the districts popular with tourists. But street hawkers, fearful of trouble, packed up their wares and headed home early.

Army officers said the coup had been organised by the commander-in-chief, General Sondhi Boonyaratkalin. It was reported to have been carried out by troops moved fom the western province of Kanchanaburi.

Political unrest has been growing in Thailand since Mr Thaksin, democratically elected in 2001, ignited a row in January when he sold a family stake in a telecoms firm. Faced with mass protests amid allegations of corruption and abuse of power, he held a snap election in April but the constitutional court annulled it and called for a new election later this year.

Mr Thaksin, who had been due to speak at the general assembly, cancelled his spot to address fellow leaders last night. His supporters said he planned to head for home. But an army spokesman, Colonel Akara Chitroj, said last night: "The government is no longer administering the country. I think Thaksin will not return to Thailand for the time being."

The leaders last night met King Bhumibol Adulyadej, head of state and a revered figure in the country.

The army, in an announcement carried by TV and radio, declared that a "council of administrative reform" had been established. The announcement said: "The commanders-in-chief of the armed forces and the head of the national police have secured the situation in Bangkok and nearby suburbs without any resistance. In the interest of maintaining law and order, a request is therefore made for public cooperation for which our apologies for any inconvenience."

The soldiers arrested the deputy prime minister and the defence minister.

Mr Thaksin, in a show of bravado from New York, declared a state of emergency and sacked Gen Sondhi. The prime minister had warned in August that military officers were plotting his overthrow.

Kenneth Bailes, a US state department spokesman, said: "We look to the Thai people to resolve their political differences in a peaceful manner and in accord with the principles of democracy and the rule of law."

Lt Gen Prapart Sakuntanak, on behalf of the coup leaders, promised that the takeover would be temporary and power would be "returned to the people" soon. He said Mr Thaksin had divided the country and corruption was rampant.

Last night the Foreign Office was not advising visitors to leave Thailand or cancel trips. It said: "If you intend to travel to or are currently in Bangkok, you should monitor all available information on the local situation. You should also avoid any demonstrations and large crowds. Movements around government buildings and in public may be restricted until the situation becomes clearer."

Among the thousands of Britons in the country are 800 with Thomas Cook. "There is no effect in the main holiday resorts and no apparent threat to tourists," the firm said last night. "We are carrying on as normal."