The Thai media landscape has undergone significant changes following the 2023 elections. While the media is no longer subject to the same level of censorship as it was under the military government, public and semi-public media groups, such as the Mass Communication Organization of Thailand (MCOT), have been accused of avoiding criticism of the government. Nevertheless, the government — which has seen frequent leadership shifts — continues to face scrutiny and widespread criticism from mainstream outlets, such as Matichon and The Standard, and an increasingly influential online network of journalists and news commentators.

Thailand’s political landscape reflects the country's democratic fragility and growing pressure on press freedom. The lack of political momentum for reforming lèse-majesté laws has helped stifle public debate. Furthermore, the authorities have been known to treat journalists covering protests as activists rather than news professionals, which reduces their ability to report on sensitive political issues. However, the current government has not directly threatened to suspend media licences, as was often the case under the military regime. 

A lèse-majesté charge, which is very broadly defined in Article 112 of Thailand’s penal code and punishable by up to 15 years in prison, is a permanent threat hanging over every media outlet. This oppressive climate was underscored by the recent arrests of two journalists, accused of collaborating in vandalism after they reported on anti-royalist graffiti. Defamation and cybercrime laws are also used to harass journalists, who – if prosecuted – are forced to pay exorbitant legal fees.

Public and semi-public media outlets are directly owned or controlled by the government and military. Meanwhile, some private media outlets are owned by powerful conglomerates and are often influenced by corporate interests or business partners who are likely to steer content to protect their economic interests. The rise of sponsored content — funded by big corporations and political parties — has made it difficult for audiences to distinguish real news from paid promotional content, further challenging the integrity of the information space.

Although journalists are less likely to face charges relating to “national security” or “public order” under Shinawatra’s government than they were under the former military regime, press freedom remains precarious. The threat of prosecution for lèse-majesté continues to cast a shadow over news professionals. The charges brought against journalists are a reminder that the climate remains unfavourable to truly independent journalism.

Since the 2014 coup, dozens of journalists and bloggers have been forced to choose between imprisonment and self-imposed exile. Those convicted of lèse-majesté are systematically mistreated in prison. Meanwhile, the police are quick to use their batons against journalists covering protests. Persistent hostility toward the press can lead to physical assault. Even in high-profile cases, perpetrators often face no meaningful investigation or punishment, reinforcing a culture of impunity, especially for political figures.