Thailand

2016

  
A website displays a message from the Thai Ministry of Digital Economy and Society reading, "This website contains content and information that is deemed inappropriate. It has been censored by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society," November 17, 2016. (AP)

Thai legislation threatens online freedoms

Bangkok, December 16, 2016–Thailand’s cabinet and king should scrap legislation that would give authorities sweeping new powers to censor the internet based on vague and broad criteria, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. The military-appointed National Legislative Assembly today passed amendments to the 2007 Computer Crime Act that would severely restrict Thais’ rights to…

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Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha arrives for the weekly cabinet meeting, December 7, 2016. (Reuters/Chaiwat Subprasom)

Thai junta threatens BBC over royal news coverage

Washington, December 8, 2016–Thailand’s military government should stop harassing and threatening the BBC with criminal prosecution under laws that bar criticism of the Thai royal family, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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A woman takes a selfie with a picture of King Bhumibol Adulyadej after the hearse carrying his body goes by. News broadcasts have been replaced with royal footage after the king's death. (AFP/Lillian Suwanrumpha)

CPJ calls on Thailand to not censor news during royal transition

New York, October 14, 2016–The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Thailand’s military government to lift a blanket censorship order on television news broadcasters imposed in the wake of King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s death yesterday.

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In this September 30, 2014, file photo, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha waves after a Bangkok handover ceremony for the new chief of the Royal Thai Army. (Reuters/Athit Perawongmetha)

Draft regulatory bill threatens media freedom in Thailand

Bangkok, September 15, 2016 – Thailand’s military-appointed National Reform Steering Assembly should scrap proposed legislation that would create a new national media regulator, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. The draft bill, the latest in a raft of military-imposed measures that restrict press freedom, is now being considered by a government sub-panel tasked with…

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Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha arrives for a cabinet meeting in Bangkok on August 9, 2016. He has empowered a state media regulator to close news outlets without the right to appeal for reasons of national security. (AP/Sakchai Lalit)

Thailand pressures two broadcast journalists off the air

Bangkok, August 18, 2016–Two television reporters in Thailand have been suspended for a 10-day period under pressure from military authorities and state media regulators over their critical news coverage, according to news reports. The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Thailand’s ruling military regime to cease its systematic harassment of the broadcast media and…

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Thailand harasses critical website ahead of constitutional vote

New York, July 12, 2016 – Thai authorities should cease harassing independent news website Prachatai and drop all charges against one of its journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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Thailand's Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai at a press conference in Bangkok in 2015. He says the new media guidelines will curb 'misleading' coverage. (Reuters/Chaiwat Subprasom)

Thailand aims to hollow out foreign press with new visa restrictions

Senior Southeast Asia representative Shawn Crispin this week presented CPJ’s concerns about new media visa restrictions for foreign reporters based in Thailand to a group of Bangkok-based ambassadors. The controversial measures, announced last month by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, are scheduled to come into force on March 21. The text of Crispin’s speech follows:

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Thailand tightens visa requirements for foreign reporters

Bangkok, February 19, 2016 – The Committee to Protect Journalists is gravely concerned about new visa restrictions imposed on foreign reporters in Thailand that if fully implemented could restrict coverage of the country. The new guidelines, outlined in a Ministry of Foreign Affairs press statement released on Thursday, come amid reports that foreign journalists have…

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CPJ urges Obama to prioritize press freedom at ASEAN summit

Dear President Obama: The Committee to Protect Journalists is writing to express our enduring concern about the press freedom situation in Southeast Asia ahead of the summit meeting you will host for regional leaders from February 15 to February 16.

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2016