Members of Bradford's Thai community today voiced their fears for loved ones caught up in the military coup in their homeland.

Angkhana Limsinlatham, manager of the Chino Thai restaurant in the city's Centenary Square, is concerned for her family in Bangkok.

Angkhana, 34, said her mother Nuanchan, 60, would be frightened and upset.

"She lives alone. I know she will be worried," Angkhana told the Telegraph & Argus.

She also spoke of concerns for her sister Onanong, 38, and her two children, aged eight and 11. Angkhana said: "My sister lives near the centre of Bangkok close to where the army has gathered with tanks."

She said she was busy serving customers when the news broke of the military ousting Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and declaring a state of emergency.

Angkhana, who grew up in Bangkok, recalled a similar crisis when she lived in the city.

"We stayed indoors, it was safer. It lasted about a month," she said.

She has phoned her mother and sister and is keeping a close watch on developing news from Bangkok.

"We still don't know what is going to happen - it could stay quiet or there could be fighting," she said.

Roy Suksuwan, head chef at the Thai Fever restaurant in Saltaire Road, Shipley, has a wife and children in Pattaya, a resort about two hours from Bangkok.

Roy said his wife Anongluk was staying at home taking care of their son and daughter.

He rang home early yesterday and Anongluk told him she was fine. He said: "It is all a bit sad. The same thing happened when I was in Thailand but I think everything will be all right."

Thai Bradford University graduate Rattanachi Rattanakit, 26, is also concerned as his family lives about an hour from Bangkok.

He said: "I haven't yet spoken to my mum but I am sure that she is fine.

"I am a bit concerned about the situation and what it will mean for the future. We still do not know what is going on.

"I hope the Prime Minister will get back and sort something out sooner rather than later."

Mr Rattanakit, who graduated in the summer with a MA in mechanical engineering, was worried that the coup would destabilise the economy, creating long-term problems for the country.

Former Bradford publican Kevin Quill is recovering at his home in Pattaya after major cancer surgery and e-mailed the T&A shortly after the coup.

Mr Quill, who ran the Fighting Cock, Diplomat and Idle Cock pubs, moved to Thailand to run a business and is on bail appealing against a conviction for drug trafficking.

Mr Quill said people in rural Thailand supported the Prime Minister but he was unpopular in urban areas where he was suspected of withholding taxes.

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