It was founded by a group of progressive writers in 1978, when the country was emerging from the authoritarian government that followed the 6 October 1976 Massacre.

Matichon positions itself as a "quality" upmarket newspaper, as opposed to the usually sensationalist mass-circulation papers.

[1] From the late 2000s, when successive political crises divided public opinion, Matichon has been criticized for harbouring a pro-Red Shirt bias.

Matichon argued the investigation were irregular and that there was political interference in the council's activities.

'Weekend Matichon'), a sister publication of the newspaper, is a weekly Thai-language news magazine with a strong focus on politics.