Thai Military Rulers Promise to Seize Assets of Corrupt Politicians

Thailand's new military rulers have announced a new anti-corruption body that says it will seize the assets of politicians guilty of graft.

Military authorities announced on Thai television Sunday there is evidence that members of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's government abused power for personal gain.

The new nine-member body will investigate these allegations and military authorities will seize stolen assets. The military has used corruption as one of the reasons for toppling the Thaksin government.

Military rulers have also banned political gatherings and suspended broadcasting by more than 300 local radio stations in the north.

A bloodless coup toppled Prime Minister Thaksin last week while he was in New York for the United Nations General Assembly.

Many foreign governments have condemned the coup, saying the military took power from a popularly-elected leader. The military promises to install an interim civilian government and hold new elections.

Information for this report is provided by AP and AFP.