New Delhi: Despite the apparently intimidating presence of military tanks and armed troops at key points in the Thai capital on Wednesday morning, the city continued with its daily life as if nothing had happened.
The city's streets were free of notorious traffic jams mainly because the Democratic Reform Council, now in charge of the city, has declared a national holiday.
Bangkok's popular street vendors continued plying their trade and people could be seen using public transport and walking in the markets without much concern.
Thailand is no stranger to military interventions and the only thing unusual about last night's coup d'etat was that it took place after 15 years.
There have been more than 16 successful coup attempts since the establishment of a constitutional monarchy in 1932.
Meanwhile, the Thai Army tightened its grip after grabbing power and took over two residences of Thailand's outgoing Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, one in the capital and another in his hometown Chiang Mai, Xinhua quoted a military official as saying.
The Army has slapped strict control over foreign and domestic media and banning gathering of more than five people as soldiers and tanks patrolled the streets and schools, offices and stock markets remained closed across the country.
Army Commander Gen Sondhi Boonyaratkalin, who grabbed power, overthrowing Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra overnight while he was in New York to attend the UN General Assembly, said the action was necessary to end serious conflicts within the Thai society that Thaksin has created.
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