When Thailand's army seized power in a bloodless coup, much of the business establishment quietly cheered them on. A year on, the captains of Thai industry remain firmly behind the junta, despite a lacklustre economy and a delayed return to democracy.
For businesses, calm on the streets of a city that was engulfed in chaos for months leading up to a putsch is more important than finding a cure for the malaise in Southeast Asia's second-largest economy.
"I'm satisfied. At the very least it has made the country peaceful and it has brought order," Poj Aramwattanont, President of Thai Frozen Foods Association (TFFA), told Reuters.
In the early months of 2014, Thailand's government was paralysed, parts of Bangkok were clouded by tear gas and state buildings fortified to look like army barracks.
Conditions for growth are better now, reckons Poj.
"There is an attempt to reform according to the junta's road map," he said. "Thailand was on pause for a long time because of political problems so ... the economy has a chance to rebound."
A year ago, pro-government protesters camped on the outskirts of the Thai capital swore they would spring into action if the army intervened to remove the elected government.
In the city's heart, anti-government protesters, mostly southern Thais and middle-class Bangkok residents aligned with the royalist-military establishment, were equally determined to get rid of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
On May 22 the military took control, detaining hundreds of politicians and activists on both sides of the divide and dissolving the protests. Investors welcomed the calm imposed on Thailand's febrile politics, and the stock market rallied.
Heavy-handed tactics by the military and police since the coup have ensured that the junta, or National Council for Peace and Order, has ruled largely unchallenged.
Ronnachit Mahattanapreut, senior vice president for finance at hotel and food group Central Plaza Hotel PCL said what the private sector wanted most was security.
"We want political stability so that businessmen can project long-term investment plans," he said. "Countries like China, Vietnam and Myanmar, their governments can implement key economic policies to keep investments going."
