Thailand – Project Pathumwan News Sharing

World Press Freedom Rank: Thailand 115/180

Reporters Without Borders ranked Thailand 115/180 countries in its annual press freedom index, drawing attention to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s vision of the media which is to promote pro-government propaganda.

The majority of the print media are privately run. Newspapers such as the daily Thairath were pro-Thaksin; however, it is now anti-Thaksin. On the other hand, online platforms such as Prachatai and Voice TV are both pro-Thaksin and regularly threatened with suspension.

The Thai Government and the military control broadcast media, with restrictions and censorship, increasing and widening. For example, according to Reuters, the recent Cyber Security Law increases the Government’s control over the internet and is decried as “cyber martial law.” Furthermore, in Thailand, it is illegal to criticize the monarchy. According to Lèse-majesté law (Royal defamation law), insulting and defaming the monarchy is punishable by a jail sentence of up to 43 years. In 2021, the Thai Government announced Regulation No. 29, which empowers the authorities to censor online expression restricting freedom of speech; it failed to pass.

Often, journalists practice self-censorship over sensitive issues such as criticizing the monarchy. Therefore, Thai media faces a lack of press freedom and censorship at the hands of the Government.
Media Bias Fact Check: Thailand