Soldiers, selfies and a military coup: The unusual state of tourism in Thailand

Karla Cripps, CNN
Updated 12:33 PM EDT, Thu May 22, 2014
Thai anti-coup activist Sombat Boonngamanong, center, gestures as he arrives escorted by police and soldiers at a military court in Bangkok on Thursday, June 12. The prominent anti-coup figure faces up to 14 years in prison if convicted of incitement, computer crimes and ignoring a summons by the junta, police said. The Thai military carried out a coup May 22 after months of unrest had destabilized the country's elected government and caused outbursts of deadly violence in Bangkok.
Military coup in Thailand —
Thai anti-coup activist Sombat Boonngamanong, center, gestures as he arrives escorted by police and soldiers at a military court in Bangkok on Thursday, June 12. The prominent anti-coup figure faces up to 14 years in prison if convicted of incitement, computer crimes and ignoring a summons by the junta, police said. The Thai military carried out a coup May 22 after months of unrest had destabilized the country's elected government and caused outbursts of deadly violence in Bangkok.
CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT/AFP/Getty Images
Officials clean a canal on Friday, June 6, outside Thai Government House in Bangkok in an area anti-government protesters occupied for months. Human-rights activists and foreign governments criticized the military's intervention, but life in Thailand has resumed to something approaching normal while the political situation remains in flux.
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Officials clean a canal on Friday, June 6, outside Thai Government House in Bangkok in an area anti-government protesters occupied for months. Human-rights activists and foreign governments criticized the military's intervention, but life in Thailand has resumed to something approaching normal while the political situation remains in flux.
NARONG SANGNAK/EPA/LANDOV
Thai soldiers entertain people with songs at Victory Monument in Bangkok on Thursday, June 5. The junta is waging a propaganda campaign to encourage "national happiness" following the coup that severely restricted civil liberties.
Military coup in Thailand —
Thai soldiers entertain people with songs at Victory Monument in Bangkok on Thursday, June 5. The junta is waging a propaganda campaign to encourage "national happiness" following the coup that severely restricted civil liberties.
NICOLAS ASFOURI/AFP/Getty Images
Passengers on a bus watch soldiers entertain the crowds at Bangkok's Victory Monument on June 5.
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Passengers on a bus watch soldiers entertain the crowds at Bangkok's Victory Monument on June 5.
Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty Images
Police secure an area inside the Australian Embassy in Bangkok on Wednesday, June 4.
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Police secure an area inside the Australian Embassy in Bangkok on Wednesday, June 4.
NICOLAS ASFOURI/AFP/Getty Images
A protester adopts the three-fingered salute from "The Hunger Games" during an anti-coup demonstration in front of the Australian Embassy in Bangkok on June 4.
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A protester adopts the three-fingered salute from "The Hunger Games" during an anti-coup demonstration in front of the Australian Embassy in Bangkok on June 4.
Sakchai Lalit/AP
Soldiers pull barbed wire from a canal near the Thai Government House during a cleanup operation June 4 in Bangkok.
Military coup in Thailand —
Soldiers pull barbed wire from a canal near the Thai Government House during a cleanup operation June 4 in Bangkok.
Apichart Weerawong/AP
Thai police officers leave the Victory Monument after they finish guarding it Tuesday, June 3, in Bangkok.
Military coup in Thailand —
Thai police officers leave the Victory Monument after they finish guarding it Tuesday, June 3, in Bangkok.
Sakchai Lalit/AP
Protesters flash the three-finger salute while shouting during an anti-coup demonstration in Bangkok on Sunday, June 1.
Military coup in Thailand —
Protesters flash the three-finger salute while shouting during an anti-coup demonstration in Bangkok on Sunday, June 1.
Wason Wanichakorn/AP
A protester holds up three fingers during an anti-coup demonstration at a Bangkok shopping mall on June 1.
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A protester holds up three fingers during an anti-coup demonstration at a Bangkok shopping mall on June 1.
Wason Wanichakorn/AP
Thai soldiers are deployed at a busy intersection in Bangkok on June 1.
Military coup in Thailand —
Thai soldiers are deployed at a busy intersection in Bangkok on June 1.
Wason Wanichakorn/AP
Onlookers at a Bangkok shopping mall watch as protesters shout "Freedom!" and "Democracy!" on June 1.
Military coup in Thailand —
Onlookers at a Bangkok shopping mall watch as protesters shout "Freedom!" and "Democracy!" on June 1.
Wason Wanichakorn/AP
Thai soldiers guard a bus stop area to prevent an anti-coup demonstration in Bangkok on Thursday, May 29.
Military coup in Thailand —
Thai soldiers guard a bus stop area to prevent an anti-coup demonstration in Bangkok on Thursday, May 29.
Wason Wanichakorn/AP
A man participates in an anti-coup demonstration in Bangkok on Wednesday, May 28.
Military coup in Thailand —
A man participates in an anti-coup demonstration in Bangkok on Wednesday, May 28.
Wason Wanichakorn/AP
A protester throws a garbage can at a line of Thai soldiers during an anti-coup demonstration in Bangkok on May 28.
Military coup in Thailand —
A protester throws a garbage can at a line of Thai soldiers during an anti-coup demonstration in Bangkok on May 28.
Wason Wanichakorn/AP
Military police stand guard during an anti-coup demonstration at the Victory Monument in Bangkok on Tuesday, May 27.
Military coup in Thailand —
Military police stand guard during an anti-coup demonstration at the Victory Monument in Bangkok on Tuesday, May 27.
Sakchai Lalit/AP
Anti-coup demonstrators gather at the Victory Monument to protest the military coup as Thai soldiers stand guard in Bangkok on May 27.
Military coup in Thailand —
Anti-coup demonstrators gather at the Victory Monument to protest the military coup as Thai soldiers stand guard in Bangkok on May 27.
Vinai Dithajohn/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Thai soldiers arrest ousted Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand in Bangkok on May 27.
Military coup in Thailand —
Thai soldiers arrest ousted Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand in Bangkok on May 27.
NICOLAS ASFOURI/AFP/Getty Images
Thai soldiers receive roses from coup supporters at a military base in Bangkok on May 27. Since taking power, military authorities have summoned -- and in some cases detained -- scores of political officials and other prominent figures.
Military coup in Thailand —
Thai soldiers receive roses from coup supporters at a military base in Bangkok on May 27. Since taking power, military authorities have summoned -- and in some cases detained -- scores of political officials and other prominent figures.
PORNCHAI KITTIWONGSAKUL/AFP/Getty Images
Two protesters stand in front riot police during an anti-coup demonstration in Bangkok on Monday, May 26. Demonstrators have taken to the streets in opposition to the coup, while some Thais express hope the military will bring an end to the political crisis.
Military coup in Thailand —
Two protesters stand in front riot police during an anti-coup demonstration in Bangkok on Monday, May 26. Demonstrators have taken to the streets in opposition to the coup, while some Thais express hope the military will bring an end to the political crisis.
Wason Wanichakorn/AP
An anti-coup protester faces riot police during a May 26 rally in Bangkok.
Military coup in Thailand —
An anti-coup protester faces riot police during a May 26 rally in Bangkok.
CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT/AFP/Getty Images
Thai police take a woman away from an anti-coup protest in Bangkok on May 26.
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Thai police take a woman away from an anti-coup protest in Bangkok on May 26.
NICOLAS ASFOURI/AFP/Getty Images
A protester confronts soldiers in riot gear during an anti-coup rally Sunday, May 25, in Bangkok.
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A protester confronts soldiers in riot gear during an anti-coup rally Sunday, May 25, in Bangkok.
Rufus Cox/Getty Images
Thai soldiers are surrounded by anti-coup protesters on May 25 during a demonstration in Bangkok.
Military coup in Thailand —
Thai soldiers are surrounded by anti-coup protesters on May 25 during a demonstration in Bangkok.
Sakchai Lalit/AP
A Thai soldier, citing safety reasons, apologies to pedestrians after he closes the fence to an overpass during an anti-coup demonstration in Bangkok on May 25.
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A Thai soldier, citing safety reasons, apologies to pedestrians after he closes the fence to an overpass during an anti-coup demonstration in Bangkok on May 25.
Wason Wanichakorn/AP
Thai soldiers stand behind their riot shields as protesters threaten them May 25 in Bangkok.
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Thai soldiers stand behind their riot shields as protesters threaten them May 25 in Bangkok.
Paula Bronstein/Getty Images
Protesters chant slogans during an anti-coup rally May 25 in Bangkok.
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Protesters chant slogans during an anti-coup rally May 25 in Bangkok.
Rufus Cox/Getty Images