Thairath

Thairath is a Thai-language daily newspaper published in Bangkok and distributed throughout Thailand. It is one of the country's most influential mass-market news brands and has maintained the highest circulation among Thai newspapers for decades. The paper is recognized for broad national coverage, a highly visible tabloid-style presentation, and a mix of hard news, crime and accident reporting, politics, economics, society, sport, and entertainment. The modern newspaper was founded by Kampol Wacharapol on 25 December 1962. Kampol had previously established Khaopap Raiwan, a pictorial daily published from 1950 until it was shut down by the government in 1958. He subsequently rented and operated Siang Ang Thong, which appeared from 1 May 1959 until 25 December 1962. Thairath therefore emerged from an earlier publishing career rather than as Kampol's first newspaper venture. The print edition is a broadsheet organized into two broad sections. The first focuses on general news, with particularly prominent treatment of crime, accidents, and other breaking events, while also covering Thai politics, the economy, and social issues. The second section concentrates on sport and entertainment. This editorial mix has helped the paper appeal to a wide national readership and to remain commercially prominent in a competitive Thai newspaper market. Thairath has also developed an online news presence through its official website, extending the brand beyond the physical newspaper. Its digital operation publishes Thai-language news and related content for readers seeking continuously updated coverage. The available reference material does not establish a separate corporate ownership structure, listing status, current executives, or audited circulation figures. The newspaper has claimed daily circulation in excess of one million copies, but that figure should be treated as a publication claim rather than independently verified financial or circulation data. Politically, Thairath's editorial position has changed over time. Its political page supported Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the policies of the Thai Rak Thai Party after Thaksin came to power in 2001. By late 2005, the paper had adopted a more skeptical position toward the government. Following the April 2006 general election, it welcomed Thaksin's resignation announcement and argued that the election result demonstrated substantial anti-Thaksin sentiment among urban residents. These shifts illustrate the newspaper's role not only as a mass-circulation publisher but also as a participant in Thailand's political debate. Thairath remains an active Thai news brand with a nationwide print footprint and a digital publishing platform. Its historical importance rests on its longevity, mass reach, and ability to combine popular news values with coverage of national political and social affairs.

Thairath's origins are tied to the newspaper career of Kampol Wacharapol. In 1950, Kampol established Khaopap Raiwan, a pictorial daily that operated until the government shut it down in 1958. After that closure, he rented Siang Ang Thong from Laor Kerdkaew. Siang Ang Thong was published from 1 May 1959 until 25 December 1962. On 25 December 1962, Kampol founded Thairath. The new newspaper became a Bangkok-published Thai-language daily with nationwide distribution. Its editorial format combined general news with sport and entertainment, while its news coverage developed a particularly strong reputation for reporting crime, accidents, and other sensational or highly immediate events. It also covered politics, economic affairs, and social issues, allowing it to function both as a popular newspaper and as a major national news institution. Thairath grew into Thailand's best-selling newspaper and retained that position for decades. The publication has claimed circulation exceeding one million copies per day, although the available material does not provide independently audited circulation records. Its broad national readership and accessible editorial style made it an important part of Thailand's mass media landscape. The paper's political stance has not been static. After Thaksin Shinawatra became prime minister in 2001, Thairath's political page supported Thaksin and the policies of his Thai Rak Thai Party. Toward the end of 2005, its political coverage became more critical of the government. After the April 2006 general election, the newspaper welcomed Thaksin's announcement that he would resign and interpreted the result as evidence of significant anti-Thaksin sentiment among urban voters. This evolution reflected the newspaper's willingness to adjust its editorial position during a period of intense political conflict in Thailand. Thairath later expanded its presence through online publishing. Its website provides Thai-language news and extends the brand's reach beyond the printed broadsheet. The digital platform supports the newspaper's established subject areas, including breaking news, politics, crime, social affairs, sport, and entertainment. The brand has also faced criticism over its approach to sensitive visual and international coverage. In 2009, it published a photograph of actor David Carradine's body after his death in Bangkok, prompting condemnation from a member of Carradine's family and a threat of legal action over further distribution. In August 2020, a headline concerning Filipino teachers arriving in Thailand referred to the Philippines as the 'land of COVID-19.' The wording was criticized as discriminatory and xenophobic, and the Philippine Embassy in Thailand formally objected. These incidents illustrate the tension between Thairath's sensationalist mass-market style and expectations of privacy, accuracy, and responsible reporting. Thairath remains an active Thai newspaper and digital news brand. Its historical significance derives from its continuity since 1962, its nationwide reach, its long-standing circulation leadership, and its influence on public discussion in Thailand.

• 2020

  COVID-19 headline draws diplomatic criticism

  [1]Thairathen.wikipedia.org

  A headline about Filipino teachers arriving in Thailand described the Philippines in terms that were criticized as discriminatory, prompting a formal response from the Philippine Embassy.

• 2009

  Carradine photograph controversy

  [1]Thairathen.wikipedia.org

  Thairath published a photograph of David Carradine's body after his death in Bangkok, leading to condemnation from a family member and threatened legal action.

• 2006

  Thairath welcomes Thaksin's resignation announcement

  [1]Thairathen.wikipedia.org

  Following the April general election, the newspaper supported Thaksin's resignation announcement and highlighted anti-Thaksin sentiment among urban residents.

• 2005

  Editorial stance becomes more skeptical of the government

  [1]Thairathen.wikipedia.org

  Toward the end of 2005, Thairath's political coverage shifted toward greater skepticism of the Thaksin government.

• 2001

  Political coverage supports Thaksin's government

  [1]Thairathen.wikipedia.org

  Thairath's political page supported Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the policies of the Thai Rak Thai Party after Thaksin came to power.

• 1962

  Thairath founded

  [1]Thairathen.wikipedia.org

  Kampol Wacharapol founded Thairath on 25 December 1962, establishing the newspaper that would become Thailand's leading mass-circulation daily.

• 1959

  Siang Ang Thong begins publication

  [1]Thairathen.wikipedia.org

  Kampol began operating Siang Ang Thong after renting the newspaper from Laor Kerdkaew.

• 1958

  Khaopap Raiwan closed by the government

  [1]Thairathen.wikipedia.org

  Khaopap Raiwan ceased publication after being shut down by the government.

• 1950

  Khaopap Raiwan founded

  [1]Thairathen.wikipedia.org

  Kampol Wacharapol founded Khaopap Raiwan, a pictorial daily that later became the first major predecessor in the Thairath publishing lineage.

Mass-market Thai-language daily newspaper with nationwide distribution and a strong emphasis on breaking news, crime, accidents, politics, sport, and entertainment.

• Print newspaper · 1962

  Thairath daily newspaper

  The core Thairath product is a Thai-language broadsheet published in Bangkok and distributed nationwide. Its first section concentrates on general news, including crime, accidents, politics, economics, and social affairs. A second section provides sport and entertainment coverage. The combination of immediate breaking news, popular subject matter, and national distribution has supported Thairath's long-standing position as Thailand's best-selling newspaper.

• Digital news platform

  Thairath online

  Thairath's official website extends the newspaper brand into continuously updated Thai-language digital publishing. It carries news and related content across the brand's established areas, including national affairs, politics, crime, accidents, society, sport, and entertainment. The digital platform complements the nationwide print operation and enables the brand to reach readers who consume news online rather than through the physical newspaper.

• 2020

  Controversial headline about the Philippines during COVID-19

  A 9 August 2020 headline referred to the Philippines as the 'land of COVID-19' in connection with Filipino teachers arriving in Thailand. Critics described the wording as discriminatory and xenophobic. The Philippine Embassy sent a formal letter objecting to the characterization, and journalist Erich Parpart publicly apologized for the headline.

  Source

• 2009

  Publication of David Carradine death photograph

  Thairath published a photograph of actor David Carradine's body after his death in Bangkok. A member of Carradine's family said the family was deeply disturbed and threatened legal action against further distribution of the image.

  Source

Read more

• 2005

  Shift toward a more skeptical political stanceStrategy

  Background

  Thairath had supported Thaksin Shinawatra and the Thai Rak Thai Party after 2001, but the country's political environment became increasingly contentious.

  Action taken

  Toward the end of 2005, the political page adopted a more critical and skeptical view of the government.

  Aftermath

  After the April 2006 election, the newspaper welcomed Thaksin's resignation announcement and emphasized anti-Thaksin sentiment among urban voters.

  Source

• 1962

  Launch a new nationwide daily newspaperStrategy

  Background

  After Khaopap Raiwan was shut down and Kampol Wacharapol operated Siang Ang Thong, he established a new newspaper under the Thairath name.

  Action taken

  Kampol founded Thairath on 25 December 1962 as a Thai-language daily published in Bangkok and distributed across Thailand.

  Aftermath

  The publication developed into Thailand's largest-selling newspaper and became a major national mass-media brand.

  Source

1. 1Thairathen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Thairath official websitethairath.co.th