THAILAND: Thailand's new military leadership has banned all political meetings and the formation of new political parties two days after seizing power in a bloodless coup that deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
In London, Mr Thaksin said yesterday he would take a "deserved rest", but called for quick elections. A top official in his Thai Rak Thai party said he hoped his leader would return and was confident the party would be restored to power in a free election.
The ruling military junta, led by Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, has promised elections by October next year, but has also introduced a raft of new rules, including restrictions on the media. It also said that four top members of Mr Thaksin's administration had been detained.
There were tanks and armoured Humvees at strategic points on the streets of Bangkok yesterday after Thailand's first military coup in 15 years, but the atmosphere was restrained and almost celebratory.
Some of the soldiers patrolling the streets of this city of 15 million people put yellow ribbons on their guns - yellow is the colour associated with the king's recent 60th anniversary celebrations.
Businesses have reopened around the capital after a brief period of martial law which closed banks, the stock exchange and government offices.
While there was broad support in the capital for the coup, many business people were fearful of the damage to Thailand's international reputation, extremely important in a country where tourism is vital.
Tens of thousands of Irish tourists visit Thailand every year.
Ekaporn Rakkwamsuk, an executive council member of Mr Thaksin's party, said the organisation would not give up politics although he stressed it was not mobilising resistance.
"We are waiting for a new constitution and new elections to prove Thai Rak Thai has good policies," Mr Ekaporn said. "If the people trust us we will be the new government again. The party is here to stay."
It was still unclear if Mr Thaksin would return to Thailand, where he could face prosecution, although many believed he would be back.
"This is not a man who likes to lose, he wants to come back," said political analyst Thitinan Pongsudhitrak. "If there were UN-supervised elections now, Thaksin would win."
One of Thailand's richest men, Mr Thaksin first came to power in 2001 on a wave of rural support because of local development programmes he backed. However he has always faced accusations that he puts his business empire first. Mr Thaksin was in New York for a speech to the United Nations when the coup took place.
The coup followed months of growing tension in Thailand, with protests against Mr Thaksin and a general election which was annulled over concerns about its legitimacy.
A poll by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University showed 84 per cent of the public supported the coup, although many surveyed were in the capital, where Mr Thaksin is unpopular.
The picture is less certain in the countryside. Mr Thaksin's power base is in Chiang Mai and he has always been most popular among rural Thais.
Fearful of uprisings among Thaksin supporters, the provisional military authority advised farmers to remain calm and banned political gatherings of five or more people. Some TV and radio reports have been blocked or censored.
"The coup leaders are still not sure they are in full control," said Thepchai Yong, group editor of the Nation media group. "There is still a chance that there are elements within the armed forces that sympathise with Thaksin."
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern said in a statement that while the situation remained calm, Irish citizens in Bangkok should stay indoors, exercise caution when travelling around the city and should avoid street demonstrations and government buildings.
There have been 18 military coups in Thailand since it became a constitutional monarchy in 1932 - after a coup. The last coup was in 1991; the general who led it was ousted the following year. Since then Thailand has been one of the few successful democracies in southeast Asia. The coup marks a serious setback for democracy in Thailand and the wider region. It has been widely condemned by many countries.
Thailand's revered King Bhumijol Adulyadej gave the ruling junta his seal of approval in a televised address when he endorsed Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin as head of the interim Council of Administrative Reform, saying he wanted "to create peace in the country". Gen Sonthi sought to distance the king from any links to the coup. "No one was behind us . . . we decided on our own and we took care of it on our own," he said.
"We decided within the last two days to stage a coup because people have called for it and because of the mismanagement of the people," Gen Sonthi said.