Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra may have whisked some of his assets out of the country aboard two aircraft days before a military coup ousted him from power, airline officials said today.

Family members of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra are still in Thailand amid speculation that they stayed behind to protect his vast assets against possible confiscation by the country’s new military rulers.

Thailand’s new military leaders today moved to tighten their grip on power, restricting political activities and taking over legislative powers, as former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra broke his silence on his ousting, saying he would take a rest.