The United States on Tuesday urged Thailand to resolve political differences peacefully following the reports that a military coup occurred in Bangkok against the government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The United States is closely monitoring the developments in Thailand. "but the situation at the moment is unclear," State Department spokesman Gonzalo Gallegos said.

The spokesman declined to comment on the announcement by Lieutenant General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, saying that the State Department had seen "various reports" of military movements in Bangkok following an earlier declaration of a state of emergency by Thaksin.

"We look to the Thai people to resolve their political differences in a peaceful manner and in accord with the principles of democracy and the rule of law," he said.

Thailand's army commander Sondhi Boonyaratkalin ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in a military coup Tuesday night while he was in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, circling his offices with tanks, declaring martial law and revoking the constitution.