Makarov is right, the issue isn't religion and this coup has no ties with the seperatist movement in the southern provinces. The military actions are concentrated in Bangkok with tanks surrounding key government institutions and The Royal Palace. General Sondhi is well respected and is loyal to the Thai King, but it is unknown if there are other soldiers still loyal to Thaksin.
So far we've been able to call cell phones today, apparently soldiers are in control of television stations to prevent Thaksin from broadcasting any statements (he is a billionaire media mogul). Internet connection is slow, but probably because people are flooding websites trying to find out about the situation. Thai TV channels like TV5, TGN, IPTV on KU band satellite have been playing the anthem and images of Thai history most of today so I've been relying on
www.2bangkok.com for updates.
More news to unfold as it is daybreak in Thailand right now. Interesting to see what will happen if and when Thaksin tries to return to Thailand, he's already cancelled his speech to the UN that was planned for tonight.
There are indeed CPF members in Bangkok, please be safe and take care during the days to come.