Thai military stages coup

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

Civil servants, including permanent secretaries of ministries, heads of state agencies and heads of universities in the Bangkok metropolitan area were ordered to report to the new Council of Administrative Reform tomorrow morning.

Earlier, the army commander wrested power from Thaksin, sending tanks and troops on to the streets of the Thai capital and declaring martial law.