BANGKOK: Australians and other tourists in Thailand face days of possible chaos and disrupted travel plans following the country's bloodless coup on Thursday evening.
The military has taken the highly unusual step of imposing a nationwide curfew, from 10pm until 5am. In past coups, curfews have usually being restricted to Bangkok.
Gatherings of more than five people are also banned.
The restrictions apply to tens of thousands of tourists in resort areas like Phuket, Pattaya and Chiang Mai.
Road travellers will encounter numerous check-points manned by armed soldiers.
Planes have been flying into Thailand's airports overnight but there is chaos as people work out how to get to and from them.
The military has announced people can travel to and from airports during the curfew hours as long as they can show they have a valid ticket.
If stopped, they will also be asked to show their passport.
Australian businessman Grant Morrison flew into Bangkok's Don Muang airport from Vietnam on Thursday night after the curfew had been imposed.
He said no public transport or limousines were operating and he took about 90 minutes to get a taxi, whose drivers were refusing to put on the meter.
''Who could blame them?,'' he said.
Mr Morrison said the toll roads were not operational.
''Seems most roads I can see are deserted,'' he said after arriving at his 30th floor apartment in Bangkok.
Thitinan Pongsudhirak, director of the Institute of Security and International Studies at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University, said ''the opposition and resistance to the coup will be strong.''
''This time the looming confrontation and clashes are going to be severe and violent,'' he said.
Australia is one of many countries which has updated its travel advisory for its citizens to exercise a high degree of caution.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has expressed grave concerns about developments in Thailand following confirmation of a military coup.
''We are gravely concerned that the army chief has announced that the military is assuming all government functions in Thailand,'' Ms Bishop told ABC radio on Friday.
''It is a volatile situation. We are monitoring it closely but people need to pay close attention to their personal security and their travel plans.''
The ABC's Australia Network international television, slated for closure in the budget, was the only foreign satellite television that has continued broadcasting.
The army took the BBC, CNN and other stations off air.
Local television stations are broadcasting military declarations and military songs.
The internet and social media sites like Twitter have not been affected despite rumors they also would be cut.
Under martial law that was declared on Tuesday soldiers were given sweeping powers, including authority to detain people without charge.
But army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha has made clear that following the coup he is not following any rules or laws.
One of his first acts was to suspend the country's 2007 constitution.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has updated its website to reflect the developments and continues to advise travellers to ''exercise a high degree of caution'' and for people to avoid all demonstrations, protest sites, political events and large-scale public gatherings.
It's unknown exactly how many Australians are currently in Thailand, with DFAT only aware of 5000 who have registered with its Smartraveller website.
The military has taken the highly unusual step of imposing a nationwide curfew, from 10pm until 5am. In past coups, curfews have usually being restricted to Bangkok.
Gatherings of more than five people are also banned.
The restrictions apply to tens of thousands of tourists in resort areas like Phuket, Pattaya and Chiang Mai.
Road travellers will encounter numerous check-points manned by armed soldiers.
Planes have been flying into Thailand's airports overnight but there is chaos as people work out how to get to and from them.
The military has announced people can travel to and from airports during the curfew hours as long as they can show they have a valid ticket.
If stopped, they will also be asked to show their passport.
Australian businessman Grant Morrison flew into Bangkok's Don Muang airport from Vietnam on Thursday night after the curfew had been imposed.
He said no public transport or limousines were operating and he took about 90 minutes to get a taxi, whose drivers were refusing to put on the meter.
''Who could blame them?,'' he said.
Mr Morrison said the toll roads were not operational.
''Seems most roads I can see are deserted,'' he said after arriving at his 30th floor apartment in Bangkok.
Thitinan Pongsudhirak, director of the Institute of Security and International Studies at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University, said ''the opposition and resistance to the coup will be strong.''
''This time the looming confrontation and clashes are going to be severe and violent,'' he said.
Australia is one of many countries which has updated its travel advisory for its citizens to exercise a high degree of caution.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has expressed grave concerns about developments in Thailand following confirmation of a military coup.
''We are gravely concerned that the army chief has announced that the military is assuming all government functions in Thailand,'' Ms Bishop told ABC radio on Friday.
''It is a volatile situation. We are monitoring it closely but people need to pay close attention to their personal security and their travel plans.''
The ABC's Australia Network international television, slated for closure in the budget, was the only foreign satellite television that has continued broadcasting.
The army took the BBC, CNN and other stations off air.
Local television stations are broadcasting military declarations and military songs.
The internet and social media sites like Twitter have not been affected despite rumors they also would be cut.
Under martial law that was declared on Tuesday soldiers were given sweeping powers, including authority to detain people without charge.
But army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha has made clear that following the coup he is not following any rules or laws.
One of his first acts was to suspend the country's 2007 constitution.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has updated its website to reflect the developments and continues to advise travellers to ''exercise a high degree of caution'' and for people to avoid all demonstrations, protest sites, political events and large-scale public gatherings.
It's unknown exactly how many Australians are currently in Thailand, with DFAT only aware of 5000 who have registered with its Smartraveller website.
