RIGHT-CENTER BIAS
These media sources are slight to moderately conservative in bias. They often publish factual information that utilizes loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by appealing to emotion or stereotypes) to favor conservative causes. These sources are generally trustworthy for information but may require further investigation. See all Right-Center sources.
- Overall, we rate Thairath as Right-Center Biased due to its alignment with the Thai monarchy, military, and political establishment, adapting its coverage to shifts in power while maintaining a generally pro-establishment stance. We rate its reporting as Mixed for factuality, as it blends straight news with tabloid-style sensationalism and selective framing in political coverage.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: RIGHT-CENTER (4.8)
Factual Reporting: MIXED (5.0)
Country: Thailand
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: LIMITED FREEDOM
Media Type: TV Station
Traffic/Popularity: High Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: MEDIUM CREDIBILITY
History
Thairath is a daily newspaper in Thailand, established in 1962 by Kampol Wacharapol. It is managed by Vacharaphol Co., Ltd. Thairath covers national news, politics, sports, and entertainment and has expanded into digital media and television broadcasting through Thairath Online and Thairath TV. The company also operates the Thairath Data Center, which maintains archival news clippings, photographs, and a database of public figures dating back to 1973, providing research services to both editorial staff and the public.
Read our profile on Thailand’s media and government.
Funded by / Ownership
Thairath is owned by Vacharaphol Co., Ltd., a private company founded by Kampol Wacharapol. It remains under family control, with Praneetsilpa Vacharaphol, Kampol’s widow, and other Wacharapol family members holding key positions. Thairath is funded primarily through advertising revenue and, to some extent, subscriptions.
Analysis / Bias
Thairath is a major Thai news outlet that covers national politics, crime, entertainment, and sports, often blending serious political reporting with tabloid-style content. Its coverage includes sensational crime stories, celebrity news, and graphic accident reports, a style commonly associated with tabloid journalism. For instance, the article “Shocking: Canadian woman bitten by shark while taking photos in the ocean, both hands amputated” reports on a shark attack involving a Canadian woman in the Turks and Caicos Islands, emphasizing dramatic details such as her attempt to take a selfie and her severe injuries. It follows a sensationalized, tabloid-style approach, focusing on graphic descriptions and emotional elements.
Politically, Thairath does not follow a rigid ideological stance but adjusts its coverage based on political power shifts. Historically, it has maintained relationships with various factions and has been described as practicing “partisan polyvalence,”—where different sections of the newspaper support different political groups, ensuring continued access to power. The Reuters Institute’s Digital News Report (2024) notes that Thairath remains one of Thailand’s most widely read and trusted news sources.
Thairath’s coverage of the Thai monarchy is highly deferential, aligning with Thailand’s strict lèse-majesté laws and criminalizing criticism of the royal family. The article “His Majesty the King graciously bestowed the Chakra Mala Medal” provides detailed coverage of a royal visit, portraying King Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida in a highly reverential manner. The article focuses on the ceremony’s significance and does not include critical perspectives or a broader context about the monarchy’s role in Thai politics.
Given its history of political adaptability, Thairath’s stance toward Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s government is likely to be shaped by existing political relationships rather than a fixed editorial ideology. While its reporting is mainly factual, its selective framing of political issues, deference to the monarchy, and mix of tabloid-style reporting suggest a tendency toward pro-establishment coverage rather than independent, adversarial journalism.
Failed Fact Checks
- (Prayut) signals 3 fingers! – False
Overall, we rate Thairath as Right-Center Biased due to its alignment with the Thai monarchy, military, and political establishment, adapting its coverage to shifts in power while maintaining a generally pro-establishment stance. We rate its reporting as Mixed for factuality, as it blends straight news with tabloid-style sensationalism and selective framing in political coverage. (M. Huitsing 02/16/2025)
Source: https://www.thairath.co.th/
Last Updated on February 16, 2025 by Media Bias Fact Check
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Left vs. Right Bias: How we rate the bias of media sources