Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, whose country currently holds the
rotating European Union (EU) presidency, called on Tuesday for a restored
democraticorder in Thailand.
The call came shortly after a swift and bloodless coup d'etat in Bangkok
Tuesday night has ousted Thai caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra while
he is in New York to attend the general debate of the UN General Assembly.
Vanhanen said in a statement that he was deeply concerned over the situation
in Thailand, expressing regrets that a democratic government was overthrown by
the military.
He stressed that it was necessary to immediately restore the democratic order
in Thailand.
A military source said Thaksin had agreed to resign, and that General Surayu
Zhulanong, a privy counselor to the King of Thailand, would be the new prime
minister of a transitional military government.
