Bangkok creeps back to life after Thai-style coup

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Bangkok creeps back to life after Thai-style coup

by Aidan JONES

BANGKOK, May 23, 2014 (AFP) - An uneasy calm settled over Bangkok Friday as one of the world's most vibrant cities crept back to life after a night-time curfew imposed by the military as part of a very Thai coup.

The capital's usual morning gridlock was relieved as schools were shuttered following an army order, but many people returned to work as normal, stopping at food stalls which opened following the end of the curfew at 5:00 am (2200 GMT Thursday).

In contrast to the last coup in 2006, there were no tanks on the streets and only a limited deployment of soldiers at key buildings.

The direct impact has been felt by senior politicians who were ordered to report to the military. But for the public at large, the curfew was met with a very Thai dose of humour and stoicism in a city whose recent history has been pock-marked by political unrest.

For Thanakan Chalaemprasead the most distressing aspects of the coup so far are the loss of his favourite television shows -- after the army ordered the suspension of normal programming -- and the early closure of the city's ubiquitous 7/11 stores.

"I was hungry... but I only had instant noodles at home," the 21-year-old mechanic said.

"There was also nothing on television... if the army wants us to stay home, they should have at least let us watch something."

Instead, televisions and radios blared patriotic music punctuated by statements from a stern-faced military spokesman.

Overnight the commercial heart of the city, famed among foreign holidaymakers for its 24-hour beat, was reduced to a near ghost town, with only the occasional tuk-tuk or taxi plying the roads as the curfew descended.

A smattering of bars breached the order serving beers to bemused tourists, most of whom were holed up in their hotels.

- 'No good for business' -

But there were few direct signs of the military intervention, after a dramatic day of army deployments and televised orders threating further curbs on media and personal freedoms -- including a ban on political gatherings of more than five people.

As dawn broke Friday scores of armed troops were seen around Government House overseeing a clean-up after protesters dispersed from their sand-bagged encampment.

An AFP reporter saw army officers giving alms to Buddhist monks outside a nearby temple, which is in the city's historic heart, as a bulldozer removed sand-bags and concrete blocks from the vacated protest site.

After months of disruptive political rallies, some Bangkok residents expressed optimism that the coup would cut a path through the political paralysis, which has seen at least 28 people killed and hundreds more wounded in violence linked to the protests.

"At first I thought the coup was a bad idea," Vichit Kriyasaun, 27, told AFP. "But now I think it could be good because they may stop the fighting," he said.

However, others were further wearied by the latest chapter in a festering political crisis that has torn Thailand apart since 2006, when billionaire former premier Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted by the military.

The overnight curfew is expected to remain in place nationwide until the army says otherwise.

"This curfew is no good... we have no customers, the tourists are scared," said Wanit, a 50-year-old taxi driver giving only one name.

"The army can do anything now and the people will not know."

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-05-23

[draftvader]

"The army can do anything now and the people will not know."

That's the idea Wanit!

[Moruya]

In this world of ever shortenning new bites forever repeating themselves on TV and PC ticker tales ad nauseum, this type of short story is perfect.

Coup, headlines, reaction, boredom, next story.

Absolutely perfect for the numpties that the BBC employs nowadays and longer stories just confuse modern journos as happened in the MH370 saga with CNN

[NongKhaiKid]

A ' Thai style ' coup ? I knew TAT were involved somehow.

[MESmith]

Seems a bit daft stopping all the tv channels. Any parent knows that to keep the kids quiet for a few hours, just turn on Cartoon Network

[lee b]

This should have happened months ago. Mind you 10pm is a little early for me.

[stickyrice2000]

Coup is easy. The difficult task for the army is how to manage this country. Being an authoritative leader is not enough. The entire people in Thailand are now on your shoulder. How are you going to improve their lives? Military people are not saints, and they can be corrupted just like anyone else. I am waiting to see the long run and where the story will end to this episode.

[kotsak]

Seems a bit daft stopping all the tv channels. Any parent knows that to keep the kids quiet for a few hours, just turn on Cartoon Network

Agreed, it's ridiculous. I miss Oggy and Gumball

[marko kok prong]

So how will Tat spin this,'come to Bangkok and experience serene Bangkok,no tv,no bars open after 10,no traffic,sit and listen to the silence in your hotel room,Serene Thailand'.

[beautifulthailand99]

Note to Bar Owners - use this down time to black gaffer tape up torn and distressed bar stools in the various watering places of the Land of Smiles so when TVF posters get back to their serious business they will have more dignified perches to peruse the world and pass on their nuanced and erudite opinions.

[klauskunkel]

Note to Bar Owners - use this down time to black gaffer tape up torn and distressed bar stools in the various watering places of the Land of Smiles so when TVF posters get back to their serious business they will have more dignified perches to peruse the world and pass on their nuanced and erudite opinions.

Note to Bar Patrons - use this down time to loose weight and thus improve on the wear and tear of bar stools in the various watering place....

P.S. - just couldn't resist

[beautifulthailand99]

Note to Bar Owners - use this down time to black gaffer tape up torn and distressed bar stools in the various watering places of the Land of Smiles so when TVF posters get back to their serious business they will have more dignified perches to peruse the world and pass on their nuanced and erudite opinions.

Note to Bar Patrons - use this down time to loose weight and thus improve on the wear and tear of bar stools in the various watering place....

P.S. - just couldn't resist

This could be a coup with unintended consequences though I suspect if past form is anything to go by it will be business as usual before too long.

[Strangebrew]

Also might be nice if you could steam clean the sidewalks outside of your business hate the smell of stale piss.

[Baerboxer]

This should have happened months ago. Mind you 10pm is a little early for me.

I'm sure they'll be most concerned to hear your a little inconvenienced.

[VocalNeal]

...Coup is easy. The difficult task for the army is how to manage this country. Being an authoritative leader is not enough. The entire people in Thailand are now on your shoulder. ...

Believe #1 once described his relationship with Thailand as it being a triangle with all the poor at the bottom. But rather than position himself at the top he said the triangle was upside down and resting on his shoulders.

[Eric Loh]

The financial sector noticed that calm too. SET reacted meekly and the Baht in fact strengthened. Bad news for those hoping it will crash. Still early days though.

[Mudcrab]

So how will Tat spin this,'come to Bangkok and experience serene Bangkok,no tv,no bars open after 10,no traffic,sit and listen to the silence in your hotel room,Serene Thailand'.

Dear God - TAT will be pitching for the Baptist dollar!

[tubby johnson]

This might fall on deaf ears with most sheeple, but to those deprived of their daily fix of soaps, variety programmes and reality trash on television, I suggest reading a book for once.

[Prbkk]

This might fall on deaf ears with most sheeple, but to those deprived of their daily fix of soaps, variety programmes and reality trash on television, I suggest reading a book for once.

Second hand book sale, tomorrow and Sunday at Nelson Hayes Library

[Shock]

Question: I have to go to immigration for a visa extension on Monday - does anyone know if this process will be affected by the current situation?

[belg]

now all we need is the rainy season to start, with nothing on the TV, what would tourists do in their hotel rooms ?

[wandasloan]

Where were the creeps previously hiding, and why doesn't the military take them away again?

.

[wandasloan]

Coup is easy. The difficult task for the army is how to manage this country. Being an authoritative leader is not enough. The entire people in Thailand are now on your shoulder. How are you going to improve their lives? Military people are not saints, and they can be corrupted just like anyone else. I am waiting to see the long run and where the story will end to this episode.

"Can be". heh Watch your tenses please.