News consumption in Thailand - statistics & facts
Thailand’s news media landscape is highly regulated by the government. Despite the limitations, various news brands across Thailand are developing creative and innovative ways of presenting current headlines. Aside from conventional news channels such as television, radio, and newspapers, Thais also consume news via social media, especially through popular Facebook news pages, Twitter, and YouTube, and sharing the latest events and trends online through the LINE messaging application.
Apart from television channels, listening to the news on the radio or via music streaming applications has also become a popular option among Thai consumers. Nevertheless, the same does not apply to print newspapers. Although still a well-known option for news among consumers, newspapers are mostly enjoyed by the older generation in Thailand as the younger people lean more towards consuming news online.
Online news has improved the efficiency of news consumption in terms of accessibility and timeliness. However, the rapid flow of news and/or information can be a double-edged sword, making it harder to navigate through the sea of information. As a result, Thai consumers may end up sharing fake news without fact-checking, as online news sources may be misleading and disguise themselves as trusted news sources. Well-established and trusted news brands in the country are raising awareness of this issue, and governmental efforts are being made to set legal consequences to control the spread of fake news.
Which news forms are the most popular in Thailand?
Watching television is the most popular form of news consumption compared to other conventional news sources in Thailand. With digital television becoming normalized, news brands also opt-in to create exclusive television channels. However, conventional Thai television channels such as Channel 7 HD and Channel 3 HD remain the most popular television channels in Thailand. These channels also air the most well-known Thai news programs, such as ‘Ruang Lao Chao Nee’ on Channel 3 HD and ‘Jor Praden Khao Kum’ on Channel 7 HD. For brand-specific news channels, Thairath TV, which started as a daily newspaper company, airs one of Thailand’s most popular news programs, Thairath News Show.Apart from television channels, listening to the news on the radio or via music streaming applications has also become a popular option among Thai consumers. Nevertheless, the same does not apply to print newspapers. Although still a well-known option for news among consumers, newspapers are mostly enjoyed by the older generation in Thailand as the younger people lean more towards consuming news online.
Digitalization of media and online news
Thais are gradually departing from traditional forms of media as digitalization becomes more prominent, evidenced by the substantial digital advertisement expenditure across various online platforms in Thailand. To stay relevant and retain engagement, news providers are adapting to the changes by establishing an online presence with websites and social media pages. On the other hand, Thailand has also seen a new wave of digital journalism, spearheaded by organizations such as The Standard, an online news outlet that promotes lifelong learning and takes pride in its trustworthiness. The organization has been gaining traction among the younger generation since its establishment in 2017.Online news has improved the efficiency of news consumption in terms of accessibility and timeliness. However, the rapid flow of news and/or information can be a double-edged sword, making it harder to navigate through the sea of information. As a result, Thai consumers may end up sharing fake news without fact-checking, as online news sources may be misleading and disguise themselves as trusted news sources. Well-established and trusted news brands in the country are raising awareness of this issue, and governmental efforts are being made to set legal consequences to control the spread of fake news.
