Special report: Army coup in Thailand

Coup leader Sonthi Boonyaratglin told foreign diplomats in a briefing Wednesday about the coup Tuesday night that a civilian government would be appointed to run the country within two weeks.

Sonthi, chief of the Administrative Reform Council, the provisional martial authority body that declared a seizure of power in Thailand, told a gathering of foreign diplomats called to the briefing that an amended constitution would be in place for a swift return to democracy through a national election.

Sonthi appeared with other armed forces leaders who joined forces in a coup d'etat on Tuesday night. The army chief and coup leader spoke through an interpreter.

Sonthi said they have carried out the coup due to requests from many parties to restore proper democratic orders in the country.

Asked by a British diplomat what action would be taken against the ousted government including caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Sonthi said Thaksin and members of his cabinet can return to the country. He added that they have done no wrong.

Thaksin and his delegates landed in London from New York early Wednesday afternoon Bangkok time.

Asked by a diplomat from Finland, which currently chairs the European Union, what should be the outcome of Thai democracy and messages to western tourists, Sonthi said Thailand was and still is a democratic country and that tourists can continue to visit the country in normal way.

Editor: Yan