Political turbulence in Thailand puts investors in cautious mode

It may come as somewhat of a relief to most long-suffering Bangkok residents, already affected by eight years of almost continuous street protests and sporadic violence, that the Thai military declared martial law on May 20 and subsequently imposed a 10pm to 5am curfew on May 22.

On a personal note, a stroll through Sukhumvit Road last Sunday, one of Bangkok’s main thoroughfares popular with tourists, did not give the feeling of a country under martial law nor later in the evening, when a stroll through Chinatown after dinner showed a city still bustling with activity. In fact, closer to 10pm, the notorious Patpong redlight district, although quieter, was still filled with people.