Military coup ousts ‘corrupt’ Thai PM

THE Thai army took control of Bangkok last night without a shot being fired, dismissed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, revoked the constitution and promised a swift return to democracy — after political reforms.

Mr Thaksin telephoned a Thai television station from New York to announce a state of emergency in an apparent attempt to head off the coup.

A government spokesman with him at the United Nations said the army could not succeed and added: “We’re in control”.