Thailand has been ranked 92nd in Reporters Without Borders (RSF)’s 2026 World Press Freedom Index, 7 places below its 2025 ranking, and is now rated as “difficult.”

In the Asia-Pacific region, press freedom and access to reliable news sources are severely compromised by the predominance of regimes — often authoritarian — that strictly control information, often through economic means. In many countries, the government has a tight grip on media ownership, allowing them to interfere in outlets’ editorial choices. It is highly telling that twenty of the region’s 32 countries and territories saw their economic indicators drop in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index.

<p>Thailand has been ranked 137th in Reporters Without Borders (RSF)&rsquo;s <a href="https://rsf.org/en/2021-world-press-freedom-index-journalism-vaccine-against-disinformation-blocked-more-130-countries">2021 World Press Freedom Index</a>, three places above its <a href="https://rsf.org/en/2020-world-press-freedom-index-entering-decisive-decade-journalism-exacerbated-coronavirus">2020 ranking</a> at 140th, while the Covid-19 pandemic has been used to obstruct press freedom in many countries</p>

<p>Thailand is ranked 140th in Reporters Without Borders (RSF)&rsquo;s <a href="https://rsf.org/en/2020-world-press-freedom-index-entering-decisive-decade-journalism-exacerbated-coronavirus">2020 World Press Freedom Index</a>, four places below its 2019 ranking at 136th, while hyper-control and nationalist populism threaten press freedom in the Asia-Pacific.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Thailand has been ranked 136th in Reporters Without Borders (RSF)&rsquo;s&nbsp;<a href="https://rsf.org/en/2019-world-press-freedom-index-cycle-fear">2019 World Press Freedom Index</a>, four&nbsp;places above its 2018 ranking, but is still classified as being in a &ldquo;difficult situation.&rdquo;</p>