Thailand is under military rule following a coup d’état. The Caretaker government and the Senate have been dissolved, the Constitution partially repealed, and a Junta established, called The national Peace and Order Maintaining Council
Here is a BBC report. Since that report the Senate has been dissolved also. Here is a report from City News for Chiang Mai residents.International leaders have Condemned the Thai Coup
Well how does it affect life in chiang mai. Not that much for me!
There is a curfew between 10 PM and 5 AM, I’m usually in bed by 9 PM. Passengers arrivng at or departing from airports are exempt, as are people going to hospitals, farmers delivering produce etc At first all TV was blocked, but some stations are now operating. Others carry the National Peace and Order Maintaining Council Logo and play patriotic music with the occasional Junta announcement. The statelite carrying The Australia Network TV signal is blocked as is the BBC, CNN, Fox, Al Jazeera, etc
Meetings of more than five persons for political purposes are banned. The monthly Expats Club meeting however was held yesterday as normal.
We must remember that we are guests living in someone elses country and show maturity and understanding of Thailand’s problems.
The has been a candle light peace vigil at Thapae Gate and some skirmishes at Chang Puak Gate, but the police closed the road to prevent more people joining in. All in all Chiang Mai has been fairly peaceful, with residents obeying the curfew. Red Shirts however are upset about the coup and unrest is there just below the surface. I feel sorry for bars and restaurants that are losing money because of the curfew, but many tourists are enjoying the photo opportunities provided by the army presence.

Candle Light Vigil for Peace

Tourists (Chinese?) enjoying the Show

Another Tourist