Coup（政变） chief cites intense conflicts

BANGKOK, Thailand (CNN) -- The head of Thailand's army and newly declared leader said the military's coup  was complete and promised power would be returned to the people as soon as possible.

In a nationally televised（广播，播映） address Wednesday, Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratglin said the coup was necessary to end intense conflicts in Thailand's society that Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra had created.

In his brief television address, Sonthi asked the Thai people to stay calm and support the coup leaders, The Associated Press reported.

Sonthi declared martial law（戒严令）, and international news channels such as CNN and the BBC were taken off the air.

On a TV station still under his government's control, however, Thaksin declared a state of emergency（紧急状态）and insisted his government remained in charge of the armed forces and the capital.

He announced he was firing Sonthi and ordered him to report to the office of Deputy Prime Minister Chidchai Vanasaditya.

Another deputy prime minister, Surakiart Sathirathai, told CNN that the supreme commander（最高指挥官） of Thailand's armed forces（武装部队）would be in charge of Bangkok. That officer, General Ruengroj Mahasaranont, has made no public statement since the coup was announced.

Tanks and troops patrolled（巡逻）Bangkok early Wednesday after the army said the military was taking control.

In his first public appearance, Sonthi repeated earlier statements that the newly created Council of Administrative Reform had revoked（宣告无效） the Constitution（宪法）.

He said Thaksin's policies had created serious rifts（不和） that needed to be healed and said Tuesday's coup was necessary after months of political turmoil（骚乱）.

Sonthi claimed power while the prime minister was at the United Nations in New York.

Thaksin, however, insisted his government remained in control even as Sonthi and the chiefs of the armed forces met King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

With tanks and troops on the streets of Bangkok, the prime minister canceled his scheduled Tuesday evening speech to the U.N. General Assembly in New York and skipped the traditional luncheon of world leaders that opens the session.

Through a spokesman, Sonthi said that he and the Party of Democratic Reform -- a previously unknown opposition party -- had taken power with the support of the country's armed forces.

The coup leaders declared Wednesday a holiday, with schools, banks and the country's stock market closed.

Troops on the streets adorned their weapons with yellow ribbons in a sign of loyalty to the king, and tanks were parked outside the government headquarters, which houses Thaksin's office.