Australia’s The Age carried the headline: “Corruption fuels rebel anger”, and quoted General Sonthi’s remarks that Shinawatra “has caused an unprecedented rift in society, widespread corruption, nepotism, and interfered with independent agencies”.

The International Herald Tribune spoke to Thitinan Pongsudhirak, director of the Institute of Security and International Studies at Thailand’s Chulalongkorn University. “We’ve got to get out of this vicious cycle of constitution, election, corruption and coup,” he said. The paper added that Sonthi had accused Shinawatra of “destroying democratic institutions”.

BBC News analysed the cause of the claims. Their roots could be traced to Shinawatra selling his family’s stake in the Shin Corp telecoms group, it reported, adding, “the move angered many, who complained that the family avoided paying tax”.

The London Times devoted a lead article to the “turmoil” in Bangkok. “The corruption and incompetence of politicians have hindered what ought otherwise to be a sound economy and bright future,” it said. “The Thai people deserve better.”