In its first detailed reaction to Tuesday's dramatic uprising, Washington said there was no justification for a coup, but stopped short of calling for the restoration of Thaksin or his scandal-tainted government.

"There's no justification for a military coup in Thailand or in any place else," said State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey.

"We certainly are extremely disappointed by this action. It's a step backward for democracy in Thailand.

"We want to see a resolution of this situation in accordance with the rule of law and in accordance with democratic procedures -- that certainly means the restoration of civilian rule in Thailand as quickly as possible."

Asked why Washington was not calling for the return of Thaksin, Casey said:  "I think the facts on the ground are that a coup has happened; certainly we wish that had not occurred in the first place."

"The important thing now is that we move forward to make sure that those who have engaged in this activity live up to their public commitments, and again those commitments are to restore democracy as quickly as possible."

Thailand's new military ruler pledged Wednesday to resign in two weeks and restore democracy in a year, after sweeping aside Thaksin, who was reelected twice but battered by corruption allegations.

General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, who orchestrated Tuesday night's coup while Thaksin was at the United Nations, said the premier had been pushed out in line with the wishes of the people after months of political turmoil.

"I will resign as interim prime minister within two weeks, and now we are looking for the person who will become the new prime minister," said Sonthi, who added that he hoped to hold new elections in October 2007.

Thaksin, meanwhile, arrived in London from New York on Tuesday for a "private visit." There were no indications on whether he would return to Thailand.

Thailand is a key US military and diplomatic ally and has been a voice for democracy in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which also includes several totalitarian states.

Agence France Presse