Several Thai residents have posted on this board - Hanuman and MichaelBKK posted on an earlier thread. I expect we'll hear more from them when it's day time in Thailand. James A is also in Thailand and I expect will report.

Plus, most of the people in Thailand have been agitating for the removal of the PM, so this coup may be rather popular with the general public.

Hi
I'm not sure I agree with that 'most people' have been agitating for the removal of Thaksin. It's true that a lot of the middle classes in Bangkok dislike Thaksin intensely and did demonstrate against him. But if you ask people outside of Bangkok - especially in the north, and those of a (to put it bluntly) poorer background, he is extremely popular. It was only last year that Thaksin was voted in for a 2nd term with an even bigger majority than before.
It's a crying shame for democracy that this coup has occurred.

bkkmei,

that is of course if you believe that the election was fsair and just. As I understood it the election appointing Mr Thaksin was neither fair nor just and was ruled as not official by the courts. Mr Thaksin appointed himself as caretaker whilst a new PM was found and has blatently demonstrated no intentions to step down. During the supposed run up to an election he has resumed his radio campaign and this is absolutely not democracy as it gives him a real advantage to the people against the other parties.

I am currently resident here in Bangkok and have lived here for 3 plus years. I am personally saddened by the way he has raped the ocuntry for his own benefit and it never ceases to amaze me that he has survived. It is absolutely correct that his main supporters are the poorer people as he has had a prgram of vote buying through almost free medical for them, low rate interest loans and almost free housing. all this to buy votes whilst he makes himself richer at everyones expense.

Anyway, politics aside, all is peaceful here at the moment, no one knows where it will go but if Thaksin does try and retaliate I do fear some sort of agression to be displayed as I believe he does have hos own inside team in the army. We can only hope things are resolved peacefully and I certainly wouldnt panic at the moment.

I feel confident that this issue will be resolved peacefully.

Best,

BigT

My brother has lived in Thailand for approx 15 years and he is of the opinion that this will blow over quickly. If the King agrees with the coup then the Thai people will accept it. I have already had emails from thais rejoicing at the change.

Big T
I'm in no way a Thaksin supporter! I still feel it's a shame that the army has taken control of a democratic country - however fledgling and imperfect that democracy is.
Anyhow, like you, hope it is resolved peacefully. We're booked to be back in BKK early October and we're not changing our plans!
Keep safe in the meantime

The king has endorsed the coup. All will be back to normal soon.

I'll see many of you in November. No worries.

bkkmei,
don't change your plans I am sure all will be well. lets see what happens.

BigT

I've read a biography of Taksin and have followed him and the politics of thailand for awhile. The bottom line is that while he is certainly corrupt and has favored his conies, he is also enormously popular among the poor in the rural areas (north and northeast -- not south where he has been brutal to moslems) where he has done a great job for them including giving them health care. The people who hate him are primarily in the cities and the intellectuals. The more I have read about him the more convinced I am that this is NOT a black and white issue. He has actually done a huge amount of good but also a lot of bad. That said I think any military takeover no matter for what reason is a blow for democracy. They are now saying that elections will not be held for at least a year -- not good.

Now on the question of whether you should go -- I suspect that this will have no affect on tourists after the next day or so. You can go, be perfectly safe and not even know that a coup had taken place. You can shop and go to the tourist sites and eat in wonderful restaurants and go to spas just as you could have a week ago. And I expect that since tourism will probably be down you'll be able to get great values

Personally, if I could I would be on a plane tomorrow for bangkok because I'd like to learn more about what people are thinking and feeling first hand.

I was interested to read that the coup leader Gen Sonthi is a Muslim. I am sure the news media will blow that way out of proportion...

As for Vacation03- don't cancel your trip!!! These events will likely have little if any impact on normal tourist activities.

The Australian Government is advising us to delay our travel plans until " we see what happens". Maybe they are just playing it safe and I guess people will make up their own minds whether or not to risk it.

Many of us are going to be there when you arrive. I'm going next month and wouldn't think of cancelling. Unless it gets bloody, but that won't happen.

Yikes. I'm going in 10 days!! My Thai wife assures all will be well...

as I said in another post. coup d etats in thailand have historicly been bloodless but the often end in mass shooting and deaths of protesters.

My gut instincts tell me that it is not only safe to travel to Thailand, but perhaps, an ideal time to do so.
My husband and I are celebrity impersonators. www.almostcher.com and www.nearlyrod.com We are currently negotiating a deal to perform in Phuket, in order to help re-build the tourist trade after the Tsunami. We would very much like to spend some time in Bangkok as well. I am having some new Cher costumes made there, as we speak.
I wonder if anyone could give us some insight as to whether a good, Vegas-quality impersonator show might be well-received. We are thinking that perhaps some of the bigger, upscale hotels might consider it. Any advice will be much appreciated. If there is anyone willing to act as an agent to book us, we will happily pay a commission.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Helene A. Masiko-Crews &
Steven L. Crews

Helene, you may want to start a new thread with a title reflecting your question "Like Celebrity Impersonators in Thailand"

Just click on "start a new thread" and type the title into the title box, then give the details. Tagging on to other Thailand posts won't get you as focused an answer.

I know the history of Bangkok and the recent bloodless coups but I would not travel to Bangkok until this is over.

Troops with loaded automatic weapons and tanks armed and ready in the streets(all it would take is one shot or nut) are not condusive to family fun and a restful vacation.

I do love Bangkok and will return when the peace is made(looks like it should be soon)but I don't consider troops with loaded weapons, total news blackouts and martial law prerequisites to a funfilled vacation. Just not a family place right now.

Hope it all clears up soon!!!!

Aloha!

Finally found an article on the situation in Thailand geared toward travelers. This should put us at ease:

Thailand Is Open
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...092200418.html

So many people are optimistic, that I figured I should include some reason to skip thailand at this present moment. There are so many places to visit in the world, it doesn't make sense to take a risk in an unstable country.

1) The last coup turned bloody. Thaksin is way too powerful and rich to give up this easy. If Thaksin stages a counter-coup guns will be fired. Do you want your family in the middle of that???

2) There is a strict censorship rule currently being enforced. If you say or do something out of line, it could land you 6 months in prison. If you get into trouble, there are no laywers or courts who can help you.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=84529

3) Early closing. A curfew is in effect requiring you to be off the streets by 11pm. Do you want to spend your vacation sitting in a hotel room??

4) Border Closing. Several of the border posts have been closed along the Laos, Berma, and Cambodian borders. Foreigners have been stuck at border crossings.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=84543

So many people are optimistic, that you figured you should be pessimistic. Iraq is an unstable country...Thailand, not so much ;)