The Department of Foreign Affairs is advising Irish citizens to exercise extra caution in Thailand due to last night's military coup in the country.

The military leader who ousted Thailand's prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra said today the coup was necessary to end mounting rifts within Thai society and Thaksin's efforts to undermine democracy.

Thailand’s stock market, banks and schools will close tomorrow following a military coup that ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra today, the army announced.

The Thai military launched a coup against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra tonight, circling his offices with tanks, seizing control of television stations and declaring a provisional authority loyal to the king.

The Thai prime minister Thaksin has called a state of emergency as coup rumours sweep Bangkok, television reports.