Canberra (Australia): The military overthrow of Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the declaration of martial law in the Southeast Asian nation triggered condemnation, unease and uncertainty in Asian nations.
Governments across the Asia-Pacific region issued warnings to their citizens to rethink traveling to Thailand, a major tourist center, where tanks and troops now lined the streets of the Capital, Bangkok.
Japan, Australia and New Zealand demanded a quick restoration of civilian rule.
"To see democracy destroyed in that way is a matter for grave concern to us," Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said. "It's unacceptable for the military just to overthrow a government in this way."
New Zealand also decried the military overthrow, with Prime Minister Helen Clark saying: "New Zealand condemns any process which seeks to overturn a government by unconstitutional and undemocratic means," Japan's Foreign Minister Taro Aso called the coup regrettable.
"We strongly hope the situation returns to normal and democracy is restored as soon as possible," Aso said.
The coup occurred without bloodshed after months of political turmoil and sharp criticism that Thaksin had eroded Thailand's democracy.
"It's really too early to form any hardened judgments," Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill said in Washington. US State Department said officials "are monitoring the situation with concern."
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