A recent report in the New York Post summed up the recent political situation in Thailand by saying, “If you have to be ousted in a military coup d’etat, our advice, be the head of Thailand at the time”
They went on to comment that last week, now ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was shown the door of his Bangkok office by the Royal Thai Army and its modest gaggle of tanks in one of the most peaceful coups we’ve seen, but it helped that Shinawatra was actually here in New York for the big UN bash at the time, only to watch his throne being taken from under his bum on the TV.
But in a city where zaniness is as ubiquitous as its “massage” parlors, is day-to-day life all that different?
“The public has barely batted an eye, coups are a part of Thai history,” said Andrea Ross, director of the South East Asia tour company Journeys Within. “I saw a woman approach some soldiers stationed by the skytrain and bow. Other than a slightly increased military presence, little has changed in the capital.”
Viruj Ruchiponges, a manager with Thai Airways, adds: “The military’s more friendly than you’d assume.”
But what does it mean for a tourism industry still struggling post-tsunami?
“Unless there is a drastic change, it is absolutely safe to visit, although some hotels have reported a drop in bookings,” Ross said.
Special Thailand Report by The Mole
