World News Thai PM overthrown in coup

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BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand's military overthrew Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Sept. 19

The sudden, well-orchestrated and bloodless coup, which was carried out while Thaksin was in New York at the U.N. General Assembly, was the first in 15 years

The military said it would soon return power to a democratic government but did not say when.

Army commander General Sondhi Boonyaratkalin said the coup aimed to end conflicts in Thai society, corruption in the government, insults to the Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, and what the general called Thaksin's attempts to destroy democratic institutions.

Thaksin, a telecommunications tycoon turned politician, won three general elections since coming to power in 2001, and was popular with the rural poor

But he alienated the urban middle class, intellectuals and pro-democracy activists. They accused Thaksin of abuse of power, corruption and emasculation of the country's democratic institutions, including what was once one of Asia's freest presses

He also alienated a segment of the military by saying senior officers had tried to assassinate him in a failed bombing attempt. He also attempted to remove officers loyal to Sondhi from key positions.

タイで軍事クーデター

タイで19日、軍事クーデターが起き、タクシン首相が追放された。

Shukan ST: Sept. 29, 2006

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