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BANGKOK, Thailand (AP)--The Thai military Tuesday arrested two key government leaders in the wake of their coup bid against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra
The coup makers arrested Deputy Prime Minister Chitchai Wannasathit and Defense Minister Thammarak Isaragura na Ayuthaya - two close loyalists of Thaksin - and that Chitchai agreed to resign, according to an army general, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The same general said Army Commander-in-Chief Gen. Sondhi Boonyaratkalin had used the military to take over power from the prime minister.
In a vain attempt to stave off the coup attempt, Thaksin had ordered Sondhi to report to Chitchai immediately, effectively dismissing him from his military duties. Thaksin told of his move when he declared a state of emergency for Bangkok. Thaksin made the announcement from New York, where he was attending the U.N.'s General Assembly.