The media can't seem to catch a break in 2018, as press freedom continues to suffer under the regime's strict regulation and an ongoing shift in consumer behaviour as the world moves into the digital age, according to the Thai Journalists Association (TJA).
In its wrap-up report released Sunday, the TJA outlined the challenges faced by the media industry, before saying the Thai media landscape in 2018 was marked by "interference and slowdown".
TJA said freedom of expression remains threatened by the National Council for Peace and Order's (NCPO) special orders, despite the fact that a free press is one of the principles outlined in the 2017 charter.
The orders in question are No.97/2014, No.103/2014, Article 5 of No.3/2015, and No.41/2016.
According to the TJA, these orders should not be upheld especially with the general election inching closer, as the public needs a free flow of information to make an informed decision.
The report also pointed out a number of draft laws that the government has green-lighted which need to be scrutinised, as they might be abused to undermine press freedom, individual privacy, and civil liberties.
One is the draft law on the promotion of media ethics and professional standards, which was endorsed by the cabinet on Dec 18 despite strong opposition from media organisations.
The bill is awaiting a review by the Council of State, the government's legal adviser, and will be resubmitted to the cabinet for consideration.
Even though the controversial bill is unlikely to be passed by the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), it does not sit well with the principles of self-regulation and independence from state intervention, said the TJA.
Other bills which warrant a closer look include the controversial cybersecurity bill, which is aimed at preventing the publication of sensitive material; the personal data protection bill, which lists the type of personal information that third parties can use in the name of the public interest; and the digital ID bill, under which a national company would be set up to build a digital identification database to identify and authenticate citizens' identities.
These bills should be monitored closely as they may hinder freedom of expression or civil liberties, it said.
The TJA also included the case of several print and broadcasting companies that have either gone under, or been forced to undergo corporate restructuring to remain in operation as consumers increasingly move their news consumption habits to digital platforms.
According to the TJA, the NCPO's use of Section 44 in May to impose a three-year debt repayment moratorium to help digital TV operators speaks volumes about the media industry's struggle, as consumer behaviour continues to change in the digital age.
The report cited several examples, including Thai Rath -- the newspaper with the largest circulation in Thailand -- currently undergoing a corporate restructuring under a voluntary retirement scheme.
Chiang Mai News, a local newspaper which covers the northern region, has migrated to an online platform since March to remain competitive, while Siam Weekly will publish its last issue on Jan 4, after a 66-year print run.
Similarly, the Money Channel announced it will go off air on Jan 1, 2019 and will focus instead on its online content.