DOING THE COUP

Thailand is slowly disappearing down the news agenda around the world, but the country is still under Military Law. Apart from that fact, and the occasional sightings of soldiers on the streets, there's no change in life from last Monday pre-coup. Everything is very normal.
The latest fashion accessory is anything army related - even combat fatigues are becoming popular with teenagers, both male and female. The other 'must' is to have your picture taken with a tank or soldier - and I have to admit we joined the crowds yesterday in search of some coup pictures.
This picture was taken outside the regional army base in central Bangkok, and we were by no means alone. Today's Bangkok Post newspaper has a great picture of a cute kid dressed up in combat gear, complete with plastic machine gun, in front of a tank. I'd like to confirm that this particular soldier's machine gun was not plastic - it was very real!
Evidence of the coup is also becoming a stop on many sightseeing tours of the city, a welcome if unexpected boost to tourism.