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| Matichon | |
|---|---|
| Name | Matichon |
| Native name | มติชน |
| Type | Daily newspaper |
| Format | Broadsheet |
| Foundation | 1978 |
| Headquarters | Bangkok, Thailand |
| Language | Thai |
| Website | matichon.co.th |
Matichon is a Thai-language daily newspaper and media group founded in 1978. It has played a prominent role in Thailand's media landscape alongside outlets such as Bangkok Post, The Nation (Thailand), Khaosod, and Thai Rath. Matichon is known for its coverage of Thai politics, including events involving Thaksin Shinawatra, Abhisit Vejjajiva, Yingluck Shinawatra, Prayut Chan-o-cha, and institutions such as the Royal Thai Police and the Reform Council (Thailand). The group expanded into magazines, books, and digital platforms, intersecting with actors including Sondhi Limthongkul, Chalerm Yoobamrung, Srettha Thavisin, and organizations like the Siam Commercial Bank and Chulalongkorn University.
Matichon was established during a period of political turbulence following the Thai Revolution of 1973 and the Thammasat University massacre aftermath, when media outlets such as Bangkok Post and Daily News (Thailand) adjusted coverage. Early coverage intersected with figures like Kukrit Pramoj and Prem Tinsulanonda and events including the 1981 Thai military rebellion and the Black May (1992) confrontation. During the 1997 Asian financial crisis, Matichon reported on institutions like the International Monetary Fund and entities such as Siam Commercial Bank and Kasikornbank. The 2006 Thai coup d'état (2006) and the 2014 Thai coup d'état (2014) were pivotal moments that affected newsroom practices alongside peer outlets Manager Daily and Thai PBS. The digital era saw Matichon engage with platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube as competitors like Prachatai and The Reporters (Thailand) emerged.
Matichon operates within Thailand's media ownership landscape alongside conglomerates like GMM Grammy and corporations such as CP Group and ThaiBev. Its board has included figures connected to Chulalongkorn University, Thammasat University, and business entities like Central Group. Leadership transitions reflected relationships with political actors including Chuan Leekpai, Banharn Silpa-archa, and General Prem. Organizationally, Matichon diversified into subsidiaries producing magazines and books, interacting with publishers like Sangdad Publishing and retailers such as SE-ED and Asia Books. The group collaborated with international agencies including Reuters, Agence France-Presse, and Bloomberg for wire services.
Matichon has been characterized as a progressive-leaning outlet in contrast to conservative outlets like Manager Daily and pro-establishment newspapers such as Thai Rath. Its editorial line engaged with movements including the Yellow Shirts (People's Alliance for Democracy) and Red Shirts (United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship) at different times, reporting on leaders like Suthep Thaugsuban and Thaksin Shinawatra and institutions such as the Constitutional Court of Thailand and the National Council for Peace and Order. Coverage often focused on constitutional debates involving the 1997 Constitution of Thailand and the 2017 Constitution of Thailand, and legal matters under statutes such as the Lèse-majesté law (Article 112). The newspaper influenced public discourse around elections featuring parties like Pheu Thai Party, Democrat Party (Thailand), and Move Forward Party, and figures including Chadchart Sittipunt.
Beyond its core daily paper, Matichon expanded into periodicals such as Matichon Weekly and lifestyle titles rivaling Madame Figaro (Thailand) and Her World (Thailand). It produced books, investigative series, and long-form journalism comparable to publishers like Samut Prakarn Publishing and Openbook. The group launched digital ventures, apps, and video channels competing with outlets like The Standard (Thailand) and KhaoSod English. Collaborations included syndicated features from The New York Times, The Guardian, and Der Spiegel translations. Educational products tied to institutions such as Chulalongkorn University Press and event programming partnered with venues like Bangkok Art and Culture Centre.
Matichon maintained nationwide distribution networks through Bangkok metropolitan channels and provincial vendors alongside chains such as 7-Eleven Thailand and FamilyMart Thailand. It competed in circulation with Thai Rath, Daily News (Thailand), and KhaoSod, and adapted distribution to digital subscriptions paralleling models used by Bangkok Post and The Nation (Thailand). Newsstand presence connected with logistics firms like SCG Logistics and retail partners including Central Department Store. Circulation figures aligned with advertising markets involving agencies such as Saatchi & Saatchi Thailand and brands including Siam Commercial Bank and AIS (Advanced Info Service).
Matichon faced legal and political challenges similar to other Thai media, involving disputes over defamation, Lèse-majesté (Thailand) prosecutions affecting journalistic sources, and injunctions linked to coverage of figures like Thaksin Shinawatra, Sondhi Limthongkul, and Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha. The outlet navigated censorship measures tied to bodies such as the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) and rulings from the Constitutional Court of Thailand. Conflicts with tabloid rivals such as Thai Rath and Manager Daily occasionally escalated to public controversies. Coverage of protests including the 2020–2021 Thai protests and legal proceedings featuring activists like Parit Chiwarak drew scrutiny and sparked debates about press freedom involving organizations like Reporters Without Borders and Human Rights Watch.
Matichon journalists and the organization received honors from Thai institutions such as the S.E.A. Write Award, accolades from Chulalongkorn University's》 School of Communication Arts, and regional recognition from bodies like the Asia News Network and Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA). Individual reporters earned awards from associations including the Thai Journalists Association and international entities such as the Committee to Protect Journalists. Investigations published by Matichon were cited in academic works from universities like Thammasat University and Mahidol University and in analyses by think tanks including the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.
Category:Thai newspapers