Thailand press freedom ranked low

News > Local News

Thai press freedom ranked low

Published: 8 Feb 2013 at 11.26
Online news: Local News

Press freedom in Thailand improved slightly last year compared with the rest of the world, a report by the group Reporters Without Borders said.

But Thailand remained deep in the world rankings of media freedom, in 135th place of 179 countries ranked, and behind the likes of Afghanistan, Bhutan, East Timor and even Libya.

"The press is much freer in Thailand than in neighbouring countries," the report said, but then attacked the government for its treatment of internet media.

This article is older than 60 days, which we reserve for our premium members only.You can subscribe to our premium member subscription, here.

Forum

Your comments

facts_only
Post : 507
Send message

Discussion 13 : 09 Feb 2013 at 21.0613
Post this to my Facebook
democrazy 12 - "The worsening of the ranking from 2002: 65 to 2006: 122 is great achievement of then PM Thaksin Shinawatra."
The military coup occurred mid-2006, and so the 2006/2007 rankings would have factored in any censorship by the then military-led government. What are your opinions of the 2010 rating?
Like dislike 1 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
democrazy
Post : 519
Send message

Discussion 12 : 09 Feb 2013 at 15.4312
Post this to my Facebook
People easy forget who the real hero of press freedom in Thailand is:
In early 2005, PM Thaksin Shinawatra promised Thai voters that he would support press freedom.
On 30.9.2005 the PM filed lawsuits in both criminal and civil courts against Sondhi Limthongkul and his Manager Media Group
seeking billions of Baht (not millions) for defamation.
The worsening of the ranking from 2002: 65 to 2006: 122 is great achievement of then PM Thaksin Shinawatra.
Like dislike 0 people liked / 2 people disliked this comment
facts_only
Post : 507
Send message

Discussion 11 : 09 Feb 2013 at 09.1411
Post this to my Facebook
"Other than for monarchy-related issues, the media are relatively free in Thailand." - Reporters Without Borders, 2013

rankings (year, rank):
2013, 135
2011/12, 137
2010, 153
2009, 130
2008, 124
2007, 135
2006, 122
2005, 107
2004, 59
2003, 82
2002, 65
Like dislike 3 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
felixqui
Post : 648
Send message

Discussion 10 : 08 Feb 2013 at 17.1610
Post this to my Facebook
Freedom of the press and free speech generally in Thailand perfectly reflects Thai traditional cultural norms as wonderfully demonstrated in the recent sex video farce:

If it sounds good, say it. True or false is irrelevant.
If it sounds bad, ban it. Truth or falsity does not matter.

Unfortunately, these traditional cultural norms are too often followed today, with glaringly obvious results to the great detriment of almost all Thai citizens and to Thai society and politics.
Like dislike 11 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
cockeral
Post : 98
Send message

Discussion 9 : 08 Feb 2013 at 15.589
Post this to my Facebook
It would seem that Thailand has much to keep under wraps, or the politicians feel vulnerable and insecure. Likely to be a combination of all three. Maybe an idea for the government to allow one day a year, "freedom day" when everyone is allowed to say what they think without fear of persecution. The problem with censorship is doesn't allow the air to be cleared and people form their own opinions of a situation. This can often be more damaging than actually allowing the truth to be heard.
Like dislike 5 people liked / 1 people disliked this comment
bkk-farang
Post : 2,327
Send message

Discussion 8 : 08 Feb 2013 at 15.098
Post this to my Facebook
@jacksprat, #1, you are right. It began to deteriorate a lot earlier than that about the time when her big brother made an honest mistake - or two or three.
Like dislike 5 people liked / 2 people disliked this comment
bluebottle
Post : 1,476
Send message

Discussion 7 : 08 Feb 2013 at 13.517
Post this to my Facebook
With low freedom of press goes rampant corruption its a vicious circle with no escape.
Like dislike 5 people liked / 1 people disliked this comment
DonAleman
Post : 542
Send message

Discussion 6 : 08 Feb 2013 at 13.416
Post this to my Facebook
Everybody, but the Thai govt., has known this for years.
Like dislike 5 people liked / 1 people disliked this comment
bangkokbob
Post : 450
Send message

Discussion 5 : 08 Feb 2013 at 13.365
Post this to my Facebook
Lower than Zimbabwe which has banned the BBC? RSF is simply not credible in its rankings.
Like dislike 0 people liked / 4 people disliked this comment
canuck
Post : 537
Send message

Discussion 4 : 08 Feb 2013 at 12.494
Post this to my Facebook
How does the USA get a rating like that. This report is defiantly skewed.
Like dislike 1 people liked / 5 people disliked this comment

1 2 Next Last

Thailand press freedom ranked low | Bangkok Post: news

Thai press freedom ranked low

Most Viewed

26,000 reds recall bloodshed

Forum

Your comments

Sign in once and access every part of the website at your convenience!