Special report: Army coup in Thailand     

    

Thailand's Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra leaves London's Gatwick airport, southern England, September 20, 2006. Thaksin arrived in London Wednesday evening for a "private visit." (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

LONDON, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- The ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra arrived in London Wednesday evening for a "private visit."

    A spokesman for British Prime Minister Tony Blair said there had been no requests from Thaksin or his entourage for any meetings with British government ministers or officials.

    The spokesman was not aware how long Thaksin was expected to stay, but noted that he had relatives in Britain. One of Thaksin's daughters is studying at a university in London.

    Earlier, the British Foreign Office conformed that Thaksin would be in London for a "private visit."

    The Thai Army Commander, General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, announced on Tuesday night that he had established a Reform Council to take over Thaksin-led Administration of the country. A nationwide state of Martial law has been declared.

    Gen. Sonthi told a news conference in Bangkok that a new prime minister would be named within two weeks, and new elections would take place in a year's time, once a new constitution had been written.

    Blair's spokesman said the British government was concerned about developments in Thailand. "Our general approach would be that we want to see a return to democracy as quickly as possible," he said.

    "There are elections scheduled for October and November and we are actively trying to find out whether those elections will go ahead or not," he added.

    The British Foreign Office also issued travel advice on Wednesday to British visitors traveling in Thailand to keep in touch with the British Embassy in Bangkok, and to avoid any demonstrations there. Enditem