The Foreign Office has warned British nationals in Thai capital Bangkok to exercise caution, amid reports of a bloodless military coup in the south-east Asian country.

Broadcasts on Thai radio and TV declared that a new provisional authority had seized power in Bangkok and surrounding regions without encountering resistance.

The announcement followed hours of confusion after tanks were reported to have encircled government buildings, including the offices of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra,


who is out of the country at the United Nations in New York. Shinawatra declared a state of emergency in the city and is understood to be cutting short his trip to the US.
UK nationals in Bangkok were advised to avoid getting caught up in large crowds or demonstrations and keep themselves informed of developments in the fast-changing situation.

Britons planning to fly out to the country were advised to monitor all available information on the situation, but the Foreign Office stopped short of advising against travel to Thailand.

Around 20,000 British expatriates are resident in Thailand and about 750,000 UK tourists visit the country each year, many of them spending time in Bangkok.

Around 1,000 British tourists are currently on holiday across Thailand, according to the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO). This figure includes those who booked package holidays to the country and does not include backpackers that have only bought flights.

An announcement on Thai national television and radio stations declared that a "Council of Administrative Reform" with King Bhumibol Adulyadej as head of state had seized power in Bangkok and nearby provinces without any resistance.

"The armed forces commander and the national police commander have successfully taken over Bangkok and the surrounding area in order to maintain peace and order. There has been no struggle," the announcement said. "We ask for the co-operation of the public and ask your pardon for the inconvenience."

Amended advice on travel to the country has been posted on the Foreign Office's website. It reads: "There have been reports of tanks taking up position around the Thai Government headquarters in Bangkok and blocking traffic. The British Embassy in Bangkok is closely monitoring the situation. If you intend to travel to, or are currently in Bangkok, you should monitor all available information on the local situation."