Coup d'Etat

Ok, hands up who has lived through a military coup. As most people know a military coup occured in Thailand last week with much fanfare. Leighanne and I arrived back into Bangkok early on the morning most Thais were waking up to the news that their country was under martial law. As the bus moved through the city we noticed large numbers of soldiers on the streets, but it never crossed our minds that a coup had just occured. However, in true Thai style it was extremely peaceful and full of smiling faces and flowers. The images on the local news showed little Thai ladies giving the soldiers yellow flowers to attach to their camouflage. There had been lots of news coverage of the former Prime Minister in the paper, especially after the tragic bombings in the south of the country. So, most people supported the coup, especially when the unbelievably popular King decided it was the right thing to do. The Thai King is celebrating his 60th year on the throne and is the longest serving monarch in the world. The Thai people love the King with enthusiastic emotion. The Kings' colour is yellow and everyday the majority of people throughout Thailand wear yellow shirts in honour of the King. So, regardless of what the sensationalist Western press was reporting, life in the Thai capital went on as usual.
Bangkok is a huge city full of cars, buses and pollution, but it is great fun. There is a certain energy in Bangkok that other major cities lack. You are never far away from an engaging market, glitzy shopping centre or peaceful temple, which are all dying to be explored. How can you not love a city where you can sit in the largest traffic jam you have ever seen and not a single person honks their horn.