Bangkok residents say life goes on despite army takeover

Thailand's military coup yesterday may have plunged the nation into political uncertainty.

Amid the sight of armed soldiers in the streets of Bangkok, Singaporean Michelle Hewitson said a "strange calm" has descended on the Thai capital after a six-month-long political struggle between rival factions.

"At the moment, we have no direct impact from the martial law or the coup," the 30-year-old, who moved to Bangkok with her husband last October, told The New Paper.

"Generally, everyone here is more cautious but the situation is calm. However, the traffic situation has been crazy because everyone is rushing home to beat the curfew," she added.

"My husband was stuck on the road for two hours. Normally, it would have taken him only 10 minutes to drive home."

Yesterday, Thailand's army chief seized power after ordering rival protesters off the streets and deposing the government in a bid to end months of political bloodshed, reported AFP.

General Prayut Chan-ocha made the announcement in a televised address to the nation, saying the armed forces had to act to restore stability in the South-east Asian nation.

The military also declared a nationwide curfew from 10pm to 5am and ordered demonstrators on both sides of the kingdom's political divide to disperse and go home after more than six months of political rallies in the capital. (See report below.)

It is the 12th military coup d'etat in Thailand since the end of absolute monarchy in 1932, reported the Bangkok Post.

STILL NORMAL

Singaporean Steven Lim, 40, who works in Bangkok, said it was still "business as usual here" despite the curfew.

The former actor has lived in Bangkok for the last seven months, working as a project development manager for a lifestyle company.

He added: "When I got home from work yesterday evening, the streets were normal and shops were still open.

"It's not like people are panicking on the streets of Bangkok, people are going about their lives as usual because nobody is sure what's going to happen."

Bangkok resident and Thai national Mongkorn Timkul, 40, told TNP that life in Thailand now is shrouded with uncertainty.

"With the military clampdown, things are sure to get tense. That always happens," he said.

Singaporean Adrian Lim, 26, who returned from Bangkok yesterday, told TNP at Changi Airport that "nothing dangerous" happened during the six days he was there on holiday.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said last night that Singapore had expressed "grave concern" over the latest developments in Thailand.

In a statement last night, it added: "We hope that all parties involved will exercise restraint and work towards a positive outcome, and avoid violence and bloodshed.

This article was first published on May 23, 2014.
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