Published: Thursday, 28th September, 2006 10:48
Ex-pat's Thai drama
By Rachel Lamb
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A HELENSBURGH businessman living in Thailand, claims the country has become `a better place` since the government was overthrown last week.
Alan McAllister, 41, managing director of a ceramic tile firm based in the Thai capital Bangkok, told the Advertiser of his relief when he heard that soldiers, backed by the king, had deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The peaceful coup took place on September 19 and saw the former Prime Minister, who is suspected of vote rigging and corruption, ousted by General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin.
Alan, a former Hermitage Academy pupil who moved to Thailand six years ago, said: `It makes me feel better about living here.
`Thailand is a better place now than it was on Monday, before the coup. Everybody is relieved, most are quietly euphoric.
`Frankly, I think most people feel glad that the Prime Minister and his party are gone.`
When news of the coup first broke, Alan was forced to phone his parents in Helensburgh for information because of a Thai TV blackout.
He said: `It was frustrating because initially we were unsure whether it was the current military rulers taking over, or Prime Minister Thaksin’s army cronies trying to consolidate his hold on power.
`Had that been the case, it would have been frightening, even terrifying.
`It had been simmering for some time due to the political situation, mainly caused by the now-ex Prime Minister’s disdain for democracy and his use of Thailand for his own personal profit-making business venture.`
`By Wednesday morning it was clear that all the soldiers were wearing yellow ribbons. Yellow is the colour associated with the king. Even the tanks had yellow ribbons on their machine guns.`
On the streets of Bangkok, scores of well wishers handed soldiers bunches of yellow flowers and decorated their tanks to show their support for the take over.
`General Sonthi, who seized control of the country without firing a single shot, has promised to hold democratic elections by October next year.
Alan, who married Thai Airways stewardess Sukanya, in 2001, said he feels `absolutely safe` under the new regime.
He said: `The new military government seem to be doing their utmost to inform us of what is going on.
`It is actually quite reassuring to see the soldiers on the streets and the tanks are now probably the biggest tourist attraction in Thailand.
`We even stopped the car today at a checkpoint near our home and gave the soldiers bottles of Fanta and coke and some packets of crisps. The ex-prime minister had to buy love. These guys get it for free!`
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