The protests gain momentum when the Shinawatra and Damapong families announce the tax-free sale of their 49.6 per cent stake in Shin Corp to Singapore's state-owned Temasek Holdings for about Bt73 billion on January 23.

February

On Feb 9, Sondhi, academics, senators and non-government organisations form an anti-Thaksin group called the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and stage massive rallies with tens of thousands taking part. The movement continues although Thaksin dissolves the House of Representatives on February 24 and calls a general election on April 2 after having an audience with His Majesty the King.

Three main opposition parties - the Democrats, Chat Thai and Mahachon - later announce a boycott of the April election, claiming that Thaksin is not sincere in his commitment to political reform.

March

On March 5, about 100,000 people led by the PAD march from Sanam Luang to Government House in a campaign to unseat Thaksin. Later in the month they march along Bangkok's prime shopping streets from the National Stadium to the Emporium mall on Sukhumvit Road.

On March 9 a bomb explodes at a security booth in front of the home of Privy Council president General Prem Tinsulanonda and a firecracker explodes in front of the Vajiravudh College's home of its headmaster, Chai-anan Samudvanija. The two had been critical of the government. Later in the same month, two TNT sticks attached to a timing device are found at the Democrat Party headquarters.

April

Voters go to the polls on April 2, with a partial count later showing Thaksin winning a majority. His victory is undermined by a strong protest vote. Political science lecturer Chaiyan Chaiyaporn, right, and a handful of other voters make headlines by ripping up their ballot cards as a sign of protest.

Two days later, Thaksin, below right, announces he will not accept the premiership to ease mounting political tension and the next day assigns Deputy Prime Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya to be the caretaker until a new prime minister is appointed.

Two political parties, Thai Rak Thai and the Democrats, accuse each other of electoral fraud, an offence that can lead to party dissolution.

On April 19, the second Senate election in Thailand's political history takes place. Many of the senators-elect have connections, and relations, to national politicians.

The country's political turning point occurs when His Majesty the King addresses the nation on April 25, calling on the courts to solve the national crisis.

May

The Constitution Court nullifies April's controversial poll, paving the way for new elections. However, on May 23, Thaksin returns to work, leading his first Cabinet meeting since stepping aside seven weeks before.

June

The Election Commission (EC) rules that Thaksin's party broke the law during campaigning for the April election.

In late June, the Office of the Attorney-General says there is enough evidence of electoral fraud to warrant dissolving five parties: Thai Rak Thai, Democrat, Progressive Democratic, Pattana Chart Thai and Thai Ground. It proposes the case be filed with the Constitution Court for a ruling.

On June 29, Thaksin summons senior bureaucrats from across the country to a lecture at Government House. His key message is about a "charismatic figure" allegedly seeking to bring him down via unconstitutional means. The message leads to criticism and widespread calls for him to clarify who he was talking about.

July

On July 21 His Majesty the King signs a decree scheduling a new election for October 15. Top military commanders insist the armed forces will not stage a coup despite the lingering political uncertainty.

Thaksin announces he will lead his ruling party's campaign in the next election, but says he may decline the premiership if he wins. At the same time, he confirms that intelligence agencies have unearthed a possible assassination plot against him.

On July 25 the Criminal Court hands down a historic ruling by sentencing Election Commission (EC) members Vasana Puemlarp, Prinya Nakchudtree and Virachai Naewboonnien to four years in prison and revokes their voting rights for 10 years. They are guilty of foul play in the botched April 2 election and repeat vote.

August

Police discover bombs loaded in a car parked near Thaksin's home on August 24. Thaksin accuses a group of military officers of plotting to kill him.

September

On September 8 the Senate selects five new EC members - Apichart Sukhagganond, Somchai Jungprasert, Sumet Oupanisakorn, Sodsri Satayatham and Prapan Naikowit.

On September 19 military top brass under the name of the Council for Democratic Reform (CDR), led by Army chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, stage a coup, above, while Thaksin is attending a United Nations assembly in New York.

The coup-makers promise to name a new prime minister in two weeks and hold an election within a year.

The CDR appoints committees to examine flaws and alleged irregularities in Thaksin's government. The panels include the National Counter Corruption Commission and the Assets Examination Committee. Among many of its orders, the junta adds a clause to the electoral law that will strip executives of any political party dissolved by the Constitution Court of their voting rights.

October

His Majesty the King endorses the Interim Constitution on October 1 and appoints General Surayud Chulanont, a Privy Council member and former armed forces supreme commander, as prime minister. Surayud forms his Cabinet a week later.

The following day, the CDR renames itself the Council for National Security and puts itself in charge of the country's security. The National Legislative Assembly is established with Meechai Ruchuphan voted in as the speaker.

Thaksin resigns as the Thai Rak Thai party leader on October 3 as several former MPs and members leave the party.

Later in the month, the junta faces growing criticism especially after the death of taxi-driver Nuamthong Praiwan, who commits suicide in protest at the coup. He earlier slammed his taxi into a military tank.

November

On November 28 the Cabinet agrees to lift martial law in 41 provinces around the country, but a royal endorsement is still required.

December

On December 9 appointees to the National People's Assembly (NPA) get royal endorsement.

Anti-coup groups protest at the Democracy Monument on December 10, Constitution Day. Only a few thousand take part.

Amid some controversy, the 1,982 NPA members select 200 of their number as candidates for the Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA).

Compiled by Kornchanok Raksaseri