While those in the outside world celebrating this festive season and the closing of 2014, many in Thailand are not enthusiastic about what the New Year will bring following the coup staged by the military on May 22.
Until now, there has been no sign of the military's willingness to withdraw from politics. An election date has not been fixed. Basic human rights of Thais continue to be violated.
In recent months, the increase in lese-majeste cases suggests that Thailand's claim to be the "Land of Smiles" no longer rings quite true.