In a late-night bloodless coup, Thailand’s military assumed the powers of embattled prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, revoked the constitution and imposed martial law in Bangkok, the capital. The coup, Thailand’s first in 15 years, marked the culmination of a year of political turmoil triggered by Mr Thaksin’s controversial sale of his family business to Temasek. Military leaders said the coup was aimed at restoring order and that they would appoint an interim civilian government in two weeks to run the country until fresh parliamentary elections.
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