Local Thai community not worried about coup in homeland

Many had hoped prime minister would step down
By SARAH KENNEDY, CALGARY SUN
Calgary Sun
Sep. 19, 2006

Thai Calgarians said after years of corruption, they welcome news of a military overthrow in their homeland.

Despite declarations of martial law and images of tanks surrounding the offices of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Calgary restaurant owner Sam Chanhao said he doesn’t think violence will erupt.

“We knew this was coming,” he said.

“Nobody wanted a coup, we wanted the government to step down peacefully but ultimately this will be better for the country.”

Chanhao, whose family owns Thai Sa-On restaurant downtown, said he moved to Canada in 1982 but still has many friends and family living in Bangkok.

“I talked to them this morning and they are quite calm,” he said.

“Most of them still went to work today, they’re just avoiding the government buildings.”

Calgarian Daniel Fraser, who runs the Smiling Albino adventure travel company in Thailand, said despite the political upheaval, it’s business as usual.

“Luckily the Canadian consumer is much in tune and reads between the lines,” he said.

“This is a little blip and I have been on the phone today with lots of clients wanting to know if it’s safe ... but it’s business as usual and people are getting on the plane as we speak.”

Fraser, who is currently back home in Canada for a brief visit, will be returning to Bangkok in 10 days and said his employees told him there’s no unusual amount of police or military tanks in the area.

“All is well and our team in Bangkok are fine and things should be back to normal quickly,” he said.

“This is a welcome relief because the government has had to go for months now and the military is the only organization in the country that has the clout to return power to the people.

“There is no fear that immediate democracy won’t be restored.”