Thailand's armed forces ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in a bloodless coup on 20 September 2006, imposing martial law, suspending the constitution, and deploying tanks and troops across the capital. The takeover came after months of political turmoil fueled by corruption allegations against Thaksin, whose family had sold nearly $2 billion in company shares earlier that year without paying taxes. Coup leaders subsequently declared a national holiday and summoned senior civil servants to military headquarters.
The overthrow drew swift international criticism. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said the organization has always supported governmental change "through democratic means, through the ballot box." The United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, the European Union, New Zealand, and South Korea all called for a peaceful resolution and a prompt restoration of democratic governance.
Many world leaders were in New York for the UN General Assembly when the coup occurred, including Thaksin himself, who canceled his scheduled address to the body. A Thai official said Thaksin planned to depart the US that night, though his destination was not disclosed.
Several governments advised their nationals to avoid traveling to Thailand, while France urged its roughly 6,000 citizens in Bangkok to remain indoors. Australia, Britain, and New Zealand also recommended that travelers exercise caution or postpone visits if possible.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in September 2006, in its own words.