There is a long history of Censorship in Thailand. Harassment, manipulation, and strict control of political news was common under the Thaksin government (2001–2006), restrictions and media harassment worsened after a military junta overthrew the Thaksin government in a 2006 coup, and increased in the Abhisit era (2008-2011).
Freedom of speech was guaranteed in the 1997 Constitution of Thailand and those guarantees continue in the 2007 Constitution. Mechanisms for censorship have included strict lèse majesté laws, direct government/military control over the broadcast media, and the use of economic and political pressure. Criticism of the King is banned by the Constitution, although most lèse majesté cases have been directed at foreigners, or at Thai opponents of political, social and commercial leaders.
Thailand ranked 59th out of 167 countries in 2004 and then fell to 107th out of 167 countries in 2005 in the worldwide Press Freedom Index from Reporters Without Borders. Thailand's ranking fell to 153rd out of 178 in 2010 and rose to 137th out of 179 in 2011-2012.
Read more about Censorship In Thailand: Guarantees of Freedom of Speech, Expression, and The Press, Print Media, Internet, Film, Individual Speech, Self-censorship, Libel Suits
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