[9] The Bangkok Post was founded by Alexander MacDonald, a former OSS officer, and his Thai associate, Prasit Lulitanond.

Nevertheless, under MacDonald's stewardship, the Bangkok Post was reasonably independent and employed many young reporters, including Peter Arnett and T. D. Allman, who later became known internationally.

Alex MacDonald left Thailand after a military coup in the early 1950s, and the newspaper was later acquired by Roy Thomson.

[9] He said the board of directors had asked him to "tone down" the newspaper's reporting and editorials on the actions of the military government, especially its suppression of free speech and election postponements.

In a written statement by Pandey issued on 14 May, he said, "When asked to tone down I did not budge and was blunt in letting those who make decisions know that I would rather lose my position than bow my head.

[11] A senior Post official said that, "This is not an issue of government interference or press freedom per se,...This is simply an internal organisational matter.

[13] Some sources within the company attributed Pandey's ouster as editor to his poor management style and ethical breaches.

[13] Meanwhile, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha denied that the government pressured the Post to reassign Pandey, dismissing the action as "an issue within a private company.

[15] After the Thai election of 2011 the paper took a largely anti-Thaksin position aligned with the Yellow Shirts and the Democrat Party.

The newspaper has a letters page where expatriate and Thai regulars exchange opinions on local and international concerns.