THAILAND: Business continues as normal after a coup in some parts of Bangkok while residents ponder the implications of the military being in power

Record ID: 695170

  • Title: THAILAND: Business continues as normal after a coup in some parts of Bangkok while residents ponder the implications of the military being in power
  • Date: 24th May 2014
  • Summary: BANGKOK, THAILAND (MAY 24, 2014) (REUTERS) PEOPLE WALKING IN LOCAL MARKET VARIOUS OF MAN GIVING ALMS TO MONK PEOPLE WALKING VIEW OF LOCAL MARKET NEWSSTAND IN LOCAL MARKET VENDOR STANDING BEHIND NEWSSTAND
  • Embargoed: 8th June 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Thailand
  • Country: Thailand
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA87CILBA3STY2LM4HRW16SA1A8
  • Story Text: Bangkok showed signs of returning to normal on Saturday (May 24) after the military seized power in a bloodless coup and detained former prime minister Yingluck Shinwatra and leaders of political parties.
    People at the market gave alms to monks as they did their early morning shopping and vendors hawked their produce and products.
    But the putsch instigated by army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha on Thursday (May 22) was not far from people's thoughts.
    Prayuth summoned former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her associates as well as civil servants and held meetings to pave the way forward under military control.
    Yingluck was detained and taken to an undisclosed location, while Prayuth explained to civil servants his plan for introducing reforms before the next election is held.

    "I want to see reforms because once the systems have been reformed, everything will get better which will be best thing for the people and the new generation," said Bangkok resident, Pattarin Wisetlimpan, 32.
    Some expressed concern over the political party leaders who were detained on the day of the coup and were critical of the army's move.

    "I don't know when the soldiers took him (anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban), don't know what they will do to him. Are they (military) neutral? We don't know. We are only ordinary people," said a 45-year-old, unidentified Bangkok resident.
    The military has dispersed protesters, banned gatherings of more than five people, censored the media and imposed a 10 p.m to 5 a.m. curfew.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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