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Thailand's military coup: Lots of smiles, tanks, flowers
By Yusof Sulaiman l eTN Asia
Gulf News
The Thai military leaders who staged the coup last Tuesday did it in the tradition of Thai coups - in the name, colors of the Thai king and people, with lots of smile and flower power from the people.
The new regime has also unwittingly solved one problem: if you keep the guns quiet more tourists will even want to know about how the mysterious kingdom works.
With the exception of tanks which lost their way when ordered to go into Bangkok for “routine exercise to test combat readiness” the mood in Bangkok was more a celebration than fear.
Since the coup, soldiers atop tanks stationed at strategic points around Bangkok have become the city's latest tourist attraction, a “must photo opportunity” not only for foreigners but also for Thais.
In what is seen as a public relations exercise to reclaim their tarnished image, the new military junta has been using its army radio to remind ground troops to be “friendly, courteous and allow anyone to be photographed with them.”
"Soldiers should promote a positive image by smiling and being polite," added the radio station, while on its front page the Bangkok Post published a picture of smiling military policewomen outside the junta headquarters.
Bangkok's crafty tourist guides suddenly found themselves with a great new product to sell.
In addition to the alluring smiles of Thais, their long-dormant staging military coup has become a new tourist attraction.
Said Jackie, a tour guide, "A lot of foreign tourists want to see how a coup is done. Last night I brought a group of foreign tourists here to photograph the scene.
"The tourists are happy, they are not complaining," added Jackie. "They have never seen flowers on tanks before."
Photographs published in local newspapers show Thai families posing for family photographs with soldiers and tanks. Foreigners and civilians have been seen posing for photographs holding M-16 rifles belonging to the soldiers.
The army radio said on Saturday it has been receiving overwhelming support from the people for its action.
"Everybody seems happy and relaxed," said Australian tourist Rick Walkomsaid when interviewed. "What amazes me is everyone is walking around taking pictures and photos. It's very entertaining."
Despite curbs on the media, it has not stopped Thailand's astrologers from interpreting the stars predict “everything is back on the right track after the coup.”
"Thais will enjoy political stability and a healthy economy," said an astrologer. "Thaksin will have to take refuge overseas for a long time."
Even with its commonplace history of military coups, Thailand witnessed its last military coup in 1991 which toppled the then ruling government. The ensuing street clashes resulted in violence, killing some 50 pro-democracy demonstrators.
