Mr Thaksin was met by the media while shopping in London

Mr Thaksin also urged all parties to work together towards "national reconciliation", in a statement issued to reporters in London.

Mr Thaksin was in New York for a UN General Assembly meeting when the bloodless coup got under way.

The new military leaders said he could return to Thailand but may face trial.

He hopes the new regime will quickly arrange a new general election Statement from Mr Thaksin's office

The statement said that as of now, Mr Thaksin was taking a break from politics and he "will be planning to work on research, on development and possible charity work for Thailand".

The billionaire politician flew from New York to London, where he owns a property, on Wednesday.

Europe-bound

"The events in Thailand during the last two days should not detract from my main aim of national reconciliation," the statement quoted Mr Thaksin as saying.

He "would like to urge all parties to find ways and means to reconcile and work towards national reconciliation for the sake of our King and country," the statement went on.

"He hopes the new regime will quickly arrange a new general election and continue to uphold the principles of democracy for the future of all Thais," the statement added.

Mr Thaksin is believed to have stayed close to Dorchester Hotel in the centre of the city overnight.

He emerged on Thursday morning, telling reporters he was "going to buy some groceries".

Mr Thaksin's chief policy adviser, Pansak Vinyaratn, said he would remain in London for a few days.

"We won't just stay in London. We will probably go to Europe to have a rest," he was quoted by Thailand's The Nation newspaper as saying.