Thai coup leaders tighten grip

2006-09-21 23:15

Bangkok - Thailand's new military leaders tightened their grip on Thursday, restricting political activities and assuming legislative powers.

At the same time purging some of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's allies from their jobs and detaining others.

Thaksin, in London, indicated in his first public statement since the Tuesday night coup that he wanted to take a rest from politics and did not challenge the military takeover.

A spokesperson for the coup group confirmed that four of Thaksin's close associates were being kept in custody.

Political parties

In announcements broadcast on Thursday on all television stations, the military said that it was banning all meetings by political parties and the establishment of new parties.

It also imposed media restrictions - including stationing soldiers at television and radio stations - and ordered the information ministry to stop the distribution of information "deemed harmful" to its agenda.

On Wednesday, the Bush administration denounced the coup and hinted that US aid, military co-operation and improved trade relations might be in jeopardy.

To many Thais, the new regime is seen as a good chance to resolve a bloody Muslim insurgency in the south that has killed more than 1 700 people.

- AP