Last night’s Military Coup in Thailand (latest news here), to oust still reigning ‘autocratic’ prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, seems to be a non-event at least in Phuket. Although there seem to be tanks in Bangkok around all governmental buildings and martial law has been declared – no sight of any unrest in Phuket.
Here – this morning 9.45m – everything seems calm and normal, with the locals chatting calmly and friendly as usual and going on with their usual ways. Okay, Phuket never was a stronghold of Thaksin anyway.
It seems that the military did a great job visiting King Bhumibol Adulyadej, discussing the latest events and declaring loyalty to him. For an initial statement of the military click here.
Today was declared public holiday by the miltary leaders. That means the country’s stock market (in Bangkok), banks and schools will remain closed on Wednesday. BBC World, CNN and other international TV news channels have been taken off the air and the TV cable, while Thai stations have broadcast footage of the royal family and patriotic songs.
My parents are currently on a flight from Germany to visit me for a few weeks, sitting in a plane from Germany. As it is Thai Airways, it’s pretty unlikely that the flight will be diverted back or elsewhere. There is currently no news about flight delays as well.
Hmmmm. :-/
Okay, let’s go for a breakfast first…..
or save article to your Facebook with 1 simple click:
March 22nd, 2007 at 7:46 pm
[…] In Thailand’s current political arena, things don’t look so bright after all anymore – just 6 months after the ‘bloodless coup‘ over there. Of course Tourism seems to look stable and the Sex Industry isn’t effected at all – as usual. […]
June 5th, 2007 at 4:05 pm
[…] 20/09/2006 Thai Coup – Non-Event in Phuket? […]
December 23rd, 2007 at 8:54 pm
[…] and family businesses. A boom for the small people began, brought suddenly to a halt by the Military Coup on […]