Mass media in Thailand

However, because there were delays in establishing the NBC (now NBTC), radio frequencies had remained in the hands of several governmental agencies, including the military, police, state universities, The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, The Government Public Relations Department (PRD) (National Broadcasting Services of Thailand), and MCOT Public Company Limited.

However, the government has recently shut down many community radio stations on the grounds that they operated stronger transmitters than permitted, interfering with existing frequencies.

After Thaksin Shinawatra was removed from power, community radio activities were more and more attuned to address political controversies that had been spun off after the coup d'état of 2006.

The Juridical Council also ruled that, pending the establishment of NBC, TPBS is not subject to provisional authority of the Broadcasting Act 2008.

As of June 2009, the National Telecommunications Commission as a temporary regulator/licensor for community radio and cable television, proposed the draft "Provisional CR License" and requested comment from the public.

In December 2010, the parliament passed a new law which would forever change the landscape of radio and television services in Thailand.

This is the most challenging task of the NBTC, i.e., taking away radio and TV from government and reallocating and reassigning spectrum for private, commercial, and societal use.

The Broadcasting Act of 2008 divides radio and TV licenses into three main categories: a) commercial, b) noncommercial/ public and, c) community.

The senate set up a special committee to recommend the nominees amidst allegations of wrongdoing and kick backs.

In May 2014, there was a coup d'état and the military Jjnta amended the NBTC Act to require the return of proceeds from the DTTV auction to the public purse.

Readers have a choice of numerous papers, ranging from sensationalist mass-circulation dailies to newspapers specializing in coverage of political and business.

At the time, there was concern from journalists that the guidelines would effectively end the longstanding role of the country as a benign host for freelance reporters and photographers.

The mainstream print media are represented by Thai Rath and Daily News, which together account for half of Thailand's newspaper sales.

Because both papers were founded while the country was still under military rule, by necessity, they cultivated good relationships with the army and elite bureaucracy.

[16] On the other hand, newspapers that grew out of the student movement of the 1970s such as Matichon, The Nation and Thai Post tend to adopt an anti-establishment outlook.

Thailand's leading journalism association observed that both newspaper sales and advertising revenues have been in "steep decline".

Ad spending in Thai media for the first nine-months of 2018:[42] The national constitution of Thailand provides for the right of unrestricted expression whereas the government intensely restricts it.

One of the largest Internet forums in Thailand is pantip.com, which often contains political discussions and criticism of the government, is currently shut down due to MICT.

On 25 August 2020, Facebook accused Thai government of forcing it to block a group believed to be critical of the country's monarchy.

[44] On 4 April 2007, the Thai government blocked access to YouTube as a result of a video clip which showed "graffiti-like elements" crudely painted over a photograph slideshow of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

[49] Junta leader Prayut Chan-o-Cha declared he had the power to forcefully close media outlets[50] and he suggested "in jest" that he will "execute" journalists who don't report the "truth" about his government.

The Bangkok Post reports that, under the aegis of the announcement, security forces have intimidated, invited for "attitude adjustment", arrested, and imprisoned a number of recalcitrant media professionals.

To resume broadcasting, the NBTC compelled Voice TV to sign a memorandum of understanding that requires the station to make no critical comments about the junta or the situation in Thailand.

The NBTC claimed the station caused public confusion, incited conflict in society, and threatened national security.

[55] Thailand's ruling military junta has banned a prominent journalist, Pravit Rojanaphruk, from leaving the country to attend UNESCO's 2016 World Press Freedom Day conference in Finland in May.

Pravit said his detention ended with a six-hour-long interrogation during which he was encouraged to sign an agreement stating that he would not travel abroad without the government's permission, among other stipulations.

Upon his release, Pravit resigned from his position at the English-language newspaper, The Nation, citing political disagreements with the staff there.

[49] In 2017, Pravit Rojanaphruk was charged with sedition because of Facebook posts he wrote criticizing the junta for endangering the Thai economy.

[57][58][59] In early 2016, the Prayut government embarked on a campaign to redefine the M-class visa requirements for foreign journalists.

[61] Lastly, The ministry intends to examine the history of journalist visa applicants to see if they have ever committed "possible disruption to the public order" of Thailand.