BANGKOK, Thailand – The army commander who seized Thailand’s government in a quick, bloodless coup pledged Wednesday to hold elections by October 2007, and received a ringing endorsement from the country’s revered king.

Gen. Sondhi Boonyaratkalin also hinted that ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra may face prosecution.

Sondhi said he would act as prime minister for two weeks until a new leader is chosen by the Council of Administrative Reform, that an interim constitution would be drafted within that time, and that Thailand’s foreign policy and international agreements would remain unchanged.

The United States expressed disapproval of the coup, calling for a swift restoration of democracy.

“We’re disappointed in the coup,” White House press secretary Tony Snow told reporters on Air Force One as Bush returned to Washington from New York after meetings with world leaders and an address to the U.N. General Assembly.

“We hope those who mounted it make good and make good swiftly on their (promise) to restore democracy,” Snow said.

Australia called the coup a “great disappointment,” while Japan urged the quick restoration of democracy. The European Union condemned the military takeover, while Washington expressed concern about it. The United States, Britain and other nations also warned their citizens in Thailand to exercise caution.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej appointed Sondhi as head of the council “in order to create peace in the country,” according to an announcement on state-run television.

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(Via Yahoo! News)

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