BBC World Service has just launched a pop-up news operation in Thailand on Facebook and digital platforms in Thai and English language. The move is to provide an alternative source of information to the heavily-censored media controlled by the military dictatorship. Thai government seized media powers in May after which international channels, including BBC World News TV, were taken off air temporarily.
“One of the fundamental principles of the World Service is to bring impartial and accurate news and to countries when they lack it. We think the time is right to trial a new Thai and English digital stream to bring trusted news and information to people inside Thailand,” said Liliane Landor, Controller of Language Services for the World Service.
“Thailand is one of the most digitally advanced societies in South East Asia and this means we can set up this operation quickly and cost-effectively,” Landor added.