US imposes sanctions on Thailand over coup

The United States has imposed sanctions against Thailand in response to last week's coup.

The US State Department said America was cutting off millions of dollars in military assistance in response to the coup that ousted Thaksin Shinawatra.

A State Department spokesman said almost US$24 million dollars of assistance to the Thai government had been suspended.

The aid involves foreign military financing, international military education and training, and peacekeeping operations.

The spokesman said the United States continued to urge a rapid return to democratic rule and early elections in Thailand.

Thailand is a key US diplomatic and non-NATO ally and has been a voice for democracy in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

- RADIO AUSTRALIA