Mass media in Thailand

Thailand has a well-developed mass media sector, especially by Southeast Asian standards. The Thai government and the military have long exercised considerable control, especially over radio and TV stations. During the governments of Thaksin Shinawatra[1] and the subsequent military-run administration after the 2006 coup and military coup of 2014, the media in Thailand—both domestic and foreign—have suffered from increasing restrictions and censorship, sometimes subtle, sometimes overt.[2]

In its Freedom of the Press 2017 report, Freedom House labeled the Thai press[3] as "not free".[4] Reporters Without Borders in 2021 ranked Thailand 137th out of 180 nations in press freedom, up three spots from 2020.[5][6] Assaults on press freedom have continued in 2020,[7] including self-censorship from mainstream media on the demands to reform the Thai monarchy during the 2020–2021 Thai protests.[6]

On World Press Freedom Day 2015, four of Thailand's professional media organizations issued a joint statement calling for the military government to revoke onerous press restrictions and cease political interference with the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission of Thailand.[8]

  1. ^ "Open letter to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra". Reporters Without Borders. 8 November 2005. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  2. ^ Nanuam, Wassana (2015-06-23). "NCPO to ask reporters not to upset PM". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  3. ^ "PR Marketing" [PR Marketing & Online Press Release News]. PRESS in Thailand (in Thai). Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  4. ^ "Thailand Profile". Freedom of the Press 2017. Freedom House. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  5. ^ "2021 World Press Freedom Index". Reporters Without Borders. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Thailand". Reporters Without Borders. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  7. ^ Khidhir, Sheith (13 January 2020). "Freedom of press still lacking in Thailand". The ASEAN Post. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  8. ^ "Statement of Four Thai Professional Media Organizations". The Nation. 2015-05-03. Retrieved 6 May 2015.