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PHUKET: It's Patong at 10pm, and what a different sight it makes. There are no noisy bars, no go-go dancers beginning to circle poles, no big-bellied tourists, not a single slow loris tout.
Last night the coup cut short the fun in Phuket's west coast holiday capital.
Will it be the same tonight? Authorities believe it will. And the tourist industry hopes that Saturday and Sunday nights will see a return to normal.
It's not just Patong and Phuket but all Thailand that had to close early last night as the soldiers took control.
In Bangkok, Central World, Siam Paragon and other ritzy shopping malls closed from 8pm as the word spread that the skytrain and the underground would be closing at 9pm. Buses also stopped running at 9pm.
Longer journeys, however, were still permitted as normal by air, bus and train.
The coup commanders appeared to be moving swiftly to contain any potential threats to Thailand's future with political leaders of all colors being called in to report at Army bases, and with radio and television outlets firmly under control.
Ambassadors are due to meet with the General this afternoon in Bangkok, with provincial governors also being given briefings.
A message over the commandeered television network broadcast an invitation in Thai and English to envoys and military attaches to attend the Army Club.
That was Bulletin 20 on the only news service Thailand has for the time being.
Phuket's Central Festival has announced it will close at 9pm tonight. Other retail outlets are likely to close at the same time.
Last night the coup cut short the fun in Phuket's west coast holiday capital.
Will it be the same tonight? Authorities believe it will. And the tourist industry hopes that Saturday and Sunday nights will see a return to normal.
It's not just Patong and Phuket but all Thailand that had to close early last night as the soldiers took control.
In Bangkok, Central World, Siam Paragon and other ritzy shopping malls closed from 8pm as the word spread that the skytrain and the underground would be closing at 9pm. Buses also stopped running at 9pm.
Longer journeys, however, were still permitted as normal by air, bus and train.
The coup commanders appeared to be moving swiftly to contain any potential threats to Thailand's future with political leaders of all colors being called in to report at Army bases, and with radio and television outlets firmly under control.
Ambassadors are due to meet with the General this afternoon in Bangkok, with provincial governors also being given briefings.
A message over the commandeered television network broadcast an invitation in Thai and English to envoys and military attaches to attend the Army Club.
That was Bulletin 20 on the only news service Thailand has for the time being.
Phuket's Central Festival has announced it will close at 9pm tonight. Other retail outlets are likely to close at the same time.
Last night in Patong was just like any normal Budha day, sure Bangla was closed along with many other places, but the roads were still busy are there were plenty of places still open if you took the time to look.
Please, please don't try and sensationalize this situation any more than it is already.
Posted by CaptainJack on May 23, 2014 12:21
Editor Comment:
Tourists and residents see Patong differently, CJ, so what's ''sensationalising'' to you is providing basic information to them.