Thailand's ruling generals cemented their grip on power on Thursday, as ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said he would take a break from politics.
BANGKOK: Thailand's ruling generals cemented their grip on power on Thursday, as ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said he would take a break from politics and called for national reconciliation.
Thaksin's announcement from London less than 48 hours after the military seized power in a bloodless coup indicated he now accepted his five years as Thailand's leader were over.
"Event(s) in Thailand during the last two days should not detract from my main aim of national reconciliation," said a statement issued by Thaksin's aides.
"We hope the new regime will quickly arrange a new general election and continue to uphold the principles of democracy for the future of all Thais," it said. "Dr Thaksin as of now will take a deserved rest."
The developments consolidated the grip of General Sonthi Boonyaratglin and his council of military leaders, who extended their power by banning all political activities until further notice.
The coup leaders also installed the army security chief as the new head of national intelligence and removed three other top officials considered loyal to Thaksin.
"For the benefit of the country while it has no parliament and senate, laws requiring action by members of parliament and the senate will be approved" by the provisional military government, the statement said.
In an announcement on state television, Sonthi and his council of generals said the auditor general's office would remain open -- clearing the way to investigate the toppled billionaire on corruption charges.
Schools, banks and government offices were open again across Thailand after being ordered shut for a day. Fewer troops were on the streets and many people seemed unruffled by the political upheaval.
Sonthi said he had the backing of Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej for the coup, after which he annulled the constitution, imposed martial law, banned public gatherings and closed much of the country's land border.
Thaksin had been facing mounting public anger after months of political turmoil following a botched election, and was dogged by allegations of corruption and cronyism.
But with his Thai Rak Thai (Thais Love Thais) party still the largest in the country, and many poor rural areas still staunchly behind the telecoms tycoon, the generals ordered an immediate ban on all political party meetings.
"In order to maintain law and order, meetings of political parties and conducting of other political activities are banned," the council said in its televised statement.
"Political activities can resume when normalcy is restored," it said. It also summoned the heads of news and broadcast organisations to discuss proposed new restrictions on the circulation of public opinion, including a ban on text messages from viewers on television programmes.
In a televised announcement later today, the coup leaders said Vaipot Srinual, the former head of the Armed Forces Security Centre, had replaced Police General Jumphon Manmai as the director of the National Intelligence Agency.
Four more officials close to Thaksin, including his top deputy and two ministers were now "under the care" of the country's new military government, meaning they had been detained, the new military leadersip said.
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