Life remains virtually unchanged here in Chiang Mai notwithstanding the imposition of martial law earlier this week, which is effectively the 18th actual or attempted coup d’etat in Thailand since 1932.

If we watched or understood Thai television, the impact would be more obvious since the military has shut down some many that were broadcasting oppositional perspectives and is “guarding” others. According to the Guardian, “Fourteen television stations have been taken off the air, and the Bangkok Post reported on Wednesday that the military was ‘restricting comments on TV and in the print media by prohibiting remarks that could confuse society or provoke violence’. There were also reports that books on Thai politics had been taken off the shelves at some shops.”

They aren’t calling it a coup because they want to keep the capital markets open and the tourist industry has already been badly hit by all the “unrest” over the past year.  I think the Guardian article pretty well sums up my perspective on what is going on over here, although a civil war seems a long way off from where I sit in red shirt territory. Bangkok is the more likely locale for eruptions, but for now its largely business as usual — except for the military roaming the streets with guns.