5 Twitter accounts to follow for updates on Thailand’s coup

Bangkok is the number one global tourist destination of 2013. The tourism industry accounted for 16.7 percent of the country’s GDP in 2012. Since the military coup that overthrew the Prime Minister on May 22, Thailand has been under curfew and that’s causing many to question whether it’s safe to visit.

Personally, I get many overseas friends asking if they should cancel their Thailand trips or not. I reply that, in my view, Bangkok and the rest of the country are still safe to visit so long as you’re not going into areas where there are protests – which results in a heavy police and military presence.

Perhaps the nest way to gauge the situation on the ground is to do the same as locals – turn to social media. However, while hashtags like #Thaicoup and #Thailandcoup can be useful, it’s tricky to filter out all the selfies, gossip, repetition, and confusion. So here are five Twitter users we’ve handpicked as reliable sources of information about what’s happening in Thailand as the coup rumbles on.

1. Richard Barrow

Q&A @RelaxedTravels: From what I hear from Thai friends, it’s safe. Concerns overblown? => It’s actually safer now for tourists than before

— Richard Barrow (@RichardBarrow) June 3, 2014

Barrow is a full-time travel blogger in Thailand, but he covers almost everything about Thailand. He also has a useful website.

During the ongoing protests, he used his own drone to take pictures of the protest sites. He’s also very active in reporting what’s going on in Bangkok during the coup with an updated map showing which streets are shut down.

2. Saksith Saiyasombut

Another view on Vic Monument looking east: empty! RT @CasnovaShim: @fm91trafficpro 16:00 รอบอนุเสาวรีย์ชัยตอนนี้คะ pic.twitter.com/DnkdlPqG7z

— Saksith Saiyasombut (@Saksith) May 29, 2014

Saksith is a political blogger who writes for Asian Correspondent. He posts pictures from the areas where there are protests and a heavy military presence so you know where to avoid. He’s also good at getting political scoops.

3. Andrew RC Marshall

4. Steve Herman

5. Bangkokpundit