English Newspapers in Thailand

With 21 English language newspapers in Thailand, there is a wide variety of news sourced from which to choose. The choices of English newspapers in Thailand range from those that focus on local news and culture, international news and business topics and even tabloids. Nearly all the English language newspapers cover travel, culture and entertainment as the travel industry is one of Thailand’s greatest sources of revenue.

 

The Royal Thai Government controls most of the media, so the biased slant of the government is prevalent in most of the publications. However, a few independent publishers have managed to break through that particular barrier offering a more critical view of world events from within the Thai perspective.

 

English language newspapers in Thailand serve the ex-pat community, travelers passing through, and the Thai nationals who are learning and practicing their English skills. Now that many of the English language publications also provide an online version, the readership of these papers is more global than ever before.

 

Below is a list of the English language newspapers in Thailand and a brief description of each.

 

Published and distributed mostly in Bangkok, this publication can also be found in most major cities throughout the country. While The Bangkok Post focuses on national and world news from the Thai perspective, it also includes many associated press articles as well. The Bangkok Press includes all the features of a major newspaper: news, life, entertainment, technology, politics, opinion, travel and classifieds.

 

Bangkok Post Online: BangkokPost.com

 

Published in Bangkok, the Bangkok Recorder contains primarily information related to the capitol city. The Bangkok Recorder was the first newspaper in Thailand and was published in both English and Thai from the onset. Its origins are more serious than what the publication has become in recent decades. Although the Bangkok Recorder still features news, business and financial items, it is heavily slanted toward providing information about Bangkok’s night life.

 

Bangkok Recorder Online: BangkokRecorder.com

 

Marketed as “Thailand’s only business newspaper in English”, the Business Day publication features articles in English about bank and finance, trade, and stock information. These articles focus on both national and international business news.

 

Business Day Online: Biz-day.com

 

This publication caters to the English speaking community in and around the Chiang Mai area in the northern part of the country. The Chiang Mai Citylife was founded by a retired British Counsel who served many years in Chiang Mai. Published monthly, it features articles related to entertainment, restaurant reviews, sight seeing tips and advice, and other topics of particular interest to visitors to the area.

 

Chiang Mai Citylife Online: Chiangmainews.com

 

Published weekly, this English language newspaper also serves the residents and visitors to the northern part of Thailand. It is particularly aimed at residents who wish to find information in English about their area that is not likely to be covered in English language publications that come out of Bangkok. The news items in this publication cover anything that affects the residents in and around Chiang Mai; it is not geared toward broader national or international news.

 

Chiang Mai Mail Online: Chiangmail-Mail.com

 

This newspaper, published daily, serves as an up-to-date guide for all the entertainment and things to do in Thailand. Articles often cover popular culture, lifestyle topics, new trends and general living.

 

Daily Express Online: Xpress.NationMultimedia.com 

 

Published daily, this newspaper features articles related to the northern area of Thailand and caters to both the ex-pat community and travelers. Articles of interest include local lore, information and reviews about tourist sites and travel packages and local news, culture, history and entertainment.

 

Good Morning Chiang Mai Online: Gmorning.info 

 

located 200 kilometers south of Bangkok on the Gulf of Thailand, Hua Hin is a popular tourist site. The Hua Hin News is a daily paper covering mostly local news as well as major global news stories. This newspaper primarily serves the Hua Hin area. The Hua Hin News also includes sections common to any city paper such as weather, business, human interest and classified.

 

Hua Hin News Online: HuahinNews.net

 

The Hua Hin Observer is Hua Hin's longest running English language periodical offering Hua Hin news of the Hua Hin area. This newspaper contains local news and events, business, travel reports, sports news and reviews. The online site and Hua Hin news is updated monthly so don't forget to come back now and then to catch up on news and events in Hua Hin and Cha-am.

 

Hua Hin Online: ObserverGroup.net 

 

The Korat Post is a daily newspaper that serves the northeast part of Thailand. Similar to the Hua Hin News, this publication primarily covers local news with a few national and international news stories. It also includes sections that cover business, travel, human interest stories relevant to the local culture, entertainment reviews and sports.

 

Korat Post Online: TheKoratPost.com

 

 

The Krabipost is an online publication that is geared toward travelers seeking information about the Krabi region. Features include articles about festivals, food, classes and travel packages, in addition to local news items.

 

Krabi Post Online: KrabiPost.com

 

Billed as Thailand’s biggest business daily, The Nation features big news headlines on a national and international level along with all the major features of any big city international newspaper. The business section is especially thorough with a whole portion devoted to articles about Asian businesses.

The Nation Online: NationMultimedia.com

 

It is clear that this government-based publication is supported by agencies and organizations funded by the Royal Thai Government. All news stories and articles are written with a slant towards government approval. The National News Bureau includes most of the basic features of any major newspaper publication including economy, politics and social affairs. Editorial and opinion sections are not included.

 

National News Bureau Online: ThaiNews.prd.go.th/NewsEnglish/ 

 

Pattaya is located on the Eastern coast of Thailand is the country’s oldest resort areas catering to foreign visitors and the ex-pat community. The Pattaya Mail is a full newspaper addressing all the interests and needs of both residents and visitors. With a variety of sections including arts and entertainment, sports, business, travel and tourism, shopping, night life and TV and movie guides, the Pattaya Mail is thorough and exhaustive.

 

Pattaya Mail Online: PattayaMail.com

 

Published weekly, the Pattaya People is a publication that includes community news and local news, crime reports, sports, health, and restaurant reviews. This paper also has a section for Philippine interests and concerns and another whole section devoted specifically to the ex-pat community.

 

Pattaya People Online: PattayaPeople.com

 

Published only bimonthly, this source provides information for local residents and visitors about what is happening in the area and how to get involved. There is a large section for editorials and opinions that may be compared to personal memoirs. Pattaya Today also includes horoscopes, weather, and information on local women (for hire). This newspaper is more of a tabloid than a regular newspaper.

Pattaya Today Online: PattayaToday.net 

 

This publication is Thailand’s main English language tabloid. Geared toward readers mostly interested in the social life in Phucket, the Pucket Gazette includes daily news items, announcements, events and calendar, questions and answers similar to a “Dear Abbey” column, classifieds, and even a section titles “Queer News”.

 

Phucket Gazette Online: PhuketGazette.net

 

This publication has the flavor of a small town newspaper. It includes sections for area tourists as well as business, legal, health and real estate sections.

 

Phucket Post Online: Phuket-Post.com

 

Aimed toward Thai nationals learning English, this weekly newspaper is comprised of news and human interest articles that are easy to read. Many articles include topics related to popular culture and the latest trends in fashion and behavior. The Student Weekly also has activities and exercises to help with learning English.

 

Student Weekly Online: Student-Weekly.com/thisweek

 

This publication, distributed nationally, is comprised of articles on topics such as business reports, international news headlines, and stock and trade news along with a few general articles of human interest and lifestyle. The bulk of these articles come from press releases.

Thailand 4 News Online: Thailand4.com

 

The Thailand Property Report is dedicated solely to news and reports concerning the housing industry in Thailand. With up-to-date coverage of trends and innovations in the housing industry, it is the country’s only dedicated real estate paper.

 

Thailand Property Report Online: Property-report.com

 

Because tourism is Thailand’s main industry, the English language readership is mostly concentrated in areas of tourists, ex-pats and business people. People who are visiting the country are looking to read about Thailand’s culture and things they can do while visiting such as sightseeing, festivals and night life; ex-pats and business people are seeking information more relevant to long term living and investments. For this reason, these subjects dominate the English language newspapers in Thailand. Nearly all the newspapers printed in English also cover a wide range of news, local, national and international.

 

The choices of English language newspapers in Thailand is large enough to satisfy the general readership with a few specialty papers to meet the needs of anyone wishing to gain insight into the Thai perspective in world news, politics, and economics as well as local and cultural topics. With nearly all the publications also available online, you can read Thai newspapers before you ever go to the country and long after you have returned to your homeland.