Things to do on holiday ...

Seems the must have holiday experience, to trump your mates, is to witness a military coup.
The report on the BBC newsite, on the coup in Thailand, quotes an ex-pat living there :

"It was like a tourist attraction. Tourists were going right up to the troops and posing for pictures," he said.

And it seems the tourists and backpackers were not inconvenienced .

Backpacker Sam Champion said the "lively, buzzing, busy" atmosphere was no different "from any other day in the capital".
"As far as I can tell there doesn't seem to be any reason to be worried about it. It doesn't seem to be anything to do with tourists or travellers whatsoever.
"It seems to be that the situation is completely under control. It just seems to be so well organised and planned, it doesn't look like it's going to get out of control."

Another tourist states

"I found out about this when my parents rang and told me," said Danish tourist Jannick Bondrop. "They were worried for me, but I'm not afraid. To see this is a once in a lifetime opportunity."

So as long as a military coup is well organised and doesn't disrupt the holiday to much then its a good photo opportunity and something to tell the folks about back home. The word fuckwit springs to mind.