Reporters Without Borders warns: China’s pressure to weaken press freedom in Thailand threatens to turn it into a Chinese vassal

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) pointed out that China has expanded its influence on Thai media in recent years through diplomatic pressure, media cooperation and inviting Thai journalists to visit China. Some Thai journalists worry that Beijing's influence may undermine editorial autonomy, prompt media self-censorship, and even turn Thailand into a "Chinese vassal state."

RSF interviewed multiple Thai journalists and found that the Chinese government often pressures the media through the embassy in Thailand to avoid publishing content that Beijing does not agree with, including Taiwan and Xinjiang issues. For example, Thai PBS broadcast an exclusive interview with then Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu in November 2023. The Chinese Embassy in Thailand subsequently issued a statement criticizing the station for providing a platform for "Taiwan independence separatists" and hurting the feelings of the Chinese people.

According to people familiar with the matter, the Chinese embassy subsequently met with the station’s senior officials and finally reached an agreement to remove the complete interview from the Internet.

In 2022, a Thai journalist was questioned by Chinese embassy staff for reporting on China's persecution of Uyghurs, and was warned that his media outlet would not be allowed to interview the Chinese ambassador in the future. In August 2025, an exhibition at the Bangkok Art and Culture Center was pressured by China to remove relevant works because it touched on issues in Hong Kong, Tibet and Xinjiang. After Pravit Rojanaphruk, a senior reporter at the Thai media Khaosod English, commented on this, Chinese embassy officials directly visited the newspaper office and warned that Beijing's "one-China principle" cannot be questioned.

In addition to diplomatic pressure, China also expands its influence through media cooperation and news exchanges. China's official media Xinhua News Agency, China Radio International (CRI) and China Global Television Network (CGTN) have significantly increased their Thai news content in recent years. As of the end of 2019, at least 12 Thai media platforms have signed content cooperation agreements with Xinhua News Agency; the Thai government public relations department also maintains multiple cooperation agreements with Xinhua News Agency and Chinese media groups.

In addition, the Chinese government has long hosted Thai media to visit China, and the itinerary mainly presents "one-sided information", such as emphasizing China's projects on the Mekong River and how the China-Liaoning railway can help eliminate poverty. This year, the Thailand-China Journalists Association also invited Thai media to visit China to learn about artificial intelligence (AI) applications and new content production. Such pressure and hospitality could prompt newsrooms to self-censor, Barvey noted.

RSF pointed out that the operating environment of Thailand’s news industry has deteriorated, making it more vulnerable to external influences. According to "Radio Free Asia" (RFA), more than 300 Thai news organizations will lay off employees in 2024, and several Thai mainstream TV reporters have even transferred to Chinese media.

The 2026 World Press Freedom Index released by RSF shows that Thailand ranks 92nd among 180 countries and regions, down 7 places from 2025; China ranks 178th, and has become the world's largest jailer of journalists with 121 imprisoned journalists.