Friendliest coup ever!

Military coup leaders in Thailand - often called the 'Land of Smiles' - apparently don't want to ruin that image. They've ordered soldiers to smile. Army radio broadcasts are reminding soldiers to be friendly and courteous, especially to children and anyone who wants to take pictures with them. Since Tuesday's overthrow of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, tanks and soldiers have been stationed at strategic points around Bangkok, becoming a must-have photograph for many Thais and tourists.

"People have shown overwhelming support for the soldiers," the army radio station said Saturday. "The soldiers should promote a positive image and continue smiling and be polite."

It was unclear if soldiers were also ordered to let civilians hold their M-16s, which some foreigners and Thais did as they posed for photographs that were published in local newspapers on Saturday. Many Thais have described this as the friendliest coup the country has ever seen.