The beaches that are usually full of activity are now quiet. Sellers of souveniers and food or fruit on the streets sit alone, with no customers. The streets I usually have to fight my way to cross are now quiet and empty of much activity. I am in Thailand where a military coup has taken place. Governments around the world have put out travel warnings about their citizens visiting Thailand until the situation is stablized. I crossed into Thailand from Cambodia in order to catch a flight out of Bangkok.


A month or so ago, while I was still in Indonesia, the military in Thailand overthrew the government and invoked a curfew from 10 P .M. each night until 5 A.M. each morning. The curfew was lifted two weeks before I entered Thailand across the Cambodian border. But, the streets here in this tourist town are quiet. It is such a different atmosphere from what I usually find here. Mostly the only ones on the beaches or streets now are the local people.

Other than the empty shops and cafes and beaches, I don't see anything unusual going on. I don't see military tanks or uniformed army people anywhere.

It's sad to see how the people here that make their living from tourists are hurting. Foreign governments react on the side of caution during times of unsettled political turmoil in a country.

The U.S. have travel warnings out agains travel to Thailand now, also. But, I have had a flight booked out of Bangkok since before the military coup took place and I need to be here to catch my flight from Bangkok. I fly back to the U .S. for one month from here in two weeks. 

I stay in the hostel I usually stay in. But, this time, I am one of the few customers here. I have the space to myself for most of the time.

The 3 hour trip from Pattaya where I spent two weeks and Bangkok went without any problems at all. The same at the airport in Bangkok. I don't see any unrest here anywhere.

I boarded the plane after going through immigration and security only to find my seat had been reassigned. I was now to be in seat 11H!

I was upgraded (at no charge) to first class. The large, recliner seats with large storage areas included were like sitting in the living room recliner in front of a large screen t.v. The electric controlled seats could be adjusted to almost a flat lying down position.

The table cloth put on my tray before the delicious meals and beverages were served was a first on an airline for me . Noise reducing ear phones, new socks and new slippers were given to me along with facial tissues, a pen and notepad, hand moisturizer, body lotion, a toothbrush and toothpaste, all in a nice little zipper bag.

I sat back in this curtained off portion of the plane and enjoyed the over 9,000 mile trip from Bangkok to Memphis with a stop over in Tokyo.

The month visiting with family was great. Included are a few photos I took with the family. Now I am in Ecuador, exploring the Galapagos Islands.


Update:
It is now August. I have been to the U.S. for a month and finishing a month in Ecuador. The general who led the military coup in Thailand 3 months ago has had himself appointed Prime Minister of Thailand by the legislators he appointed himself. He was the only candidate they nominated and they voted him in as the leader of the country . He led the military coup that overthrew the government on May 22.

The new Prime Minister is considered a deeply conservative general. He now has virtually absolute power, in command of the military to impose curfews, stifle political opposition and cut funding for popular programs for the people.

In the capitol of Thailand, Bangkok, A BBC report called the installation of the general into power, 
"the kind of rushed acclamation favored by dictatorships and communist parties of old."

Thailand is one of my favorite countries in SE Asia and it will be interesting to see how things develop under the new government for the people and tourist.