EU expresses grave concern over coup in Thailand

BRUSSELS, Sep 19 (Reuters) The European Union's Finnish Presidency expressed grave concern over the situation in Thailand after a coup to dismiss Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and urged for a return to democratic order.

''Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, current President of the EU, expresses grave concern over the events that have taken place tonight in Bangkok,'' a presidency spokesman today said.

''It is highly regrettable that democratic institutions seem to have been taken over by military force,'' the spokesman added.

''Prime minister Vanhanen emphasizes the need to revert to democratic order without delay.'' The Thai army took control of Bangkok without a shot being fired and announced a commission to reform the constitution, despite the prime minister's declaration of a state of emergency from New York.

REUTERS DKS BST0107