There was no post last night because there was no internet in my hotel last night. This sort of thing happens in Thailand. There is a Mai Pen Rai culture. Mai Pen Rai translates roughly to don't worry about it.So some times your lights will go out (even on the plans which was the most scary thing for someone who doesn't fly often), Mai Pen Rai. Sometimes your internet goes out Mai Pen Rai. Sometimes it happens at the same time as another weird event concerning the internet, Mai Pen Rai?
Yesterday when I got home the general of the Thai army was on all the TV stations. He was warning that there may be a restriction of social media sites such as Facebook. He said that there have been those on those sites trying to insight violence and chaos. I don't doubt that there have been call for protests on Facebook, though I don't think it's that big of a deal. Mass protests in Thailand against the military just doesn't seem likely. I was in a market when the national anthem started playing (it plays everywhere twice a day) and everyone just stopped in there tracks, stood up, and fell silent. It's the weirdest sight. The people who do this sort of thing seem unlikely to rebel.
The only worrisome thing is that the military seems to be taking these threats more seriously than I would. Also they haven't announced an election, though they have promised one. Whether or not this coup could be considered an OK thing to me would depend on the delivery of a legitimate and open election. I have no reason to believe that this won't happen, but the delay is less than settling. But most people here don't seem worried. Mai Pen Rai
hakuna matata
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