IT'S SURREAL

There is a very surreal atmosphere in Bangkok right now. I'm looking out of my office window on the 25th floor and I would estimate there is about 5 per cent of the normal traffic you would expect on any normal working day. I don't think much work is being done either - but I don't blame anyone for that.
Information is key right now; everyone is trying to find out what is happening. I'm constantly logged in to the BBC website and I have also been listening to Radio Five Live via the internet. That's just about the only reliable source of information in English right now.
There are many rumours, as you would expect, but essentially now His Majesty The King is the head of state. I doubt very much there will be any protests or bloodshed associated with this coup - but it is still very early in the process to know for sure.
Thailand will have lost a lot in the eyes of foreigners who value democracy, and I am worried more in terms of the investment and tourism that this country relies on so much. Investor and business confidence in general is low at the moment and something like this can only add to the problems.
On the plus side, the Thai baht is weakening and that means tourists will get more value for their money.