When I look back, on my life, my connection to the news — and to this very publication — runs deep. Long before I became the chairman of the Bangkok Post or served as Deputy Prime Minister, I was simply a young boy trying to understand the world. Ever since childhood, once I started being able to read English newspapers, I picked up the Bangkok Post. In our home, we read both Siam Rath and the Bangkok Post which truly broadened my horizons. Reading the Bangkok Post, I gained language skills, but more importantly, I gained knowledge.

When looking at the world, reading the Bangkok Post showed you the whole globe. They would find news from various places across the planet for us to read every single day. Waking up in the morning and reading the Bangkok Post was equivalent to opening a window to see where the world was heading.

The news was concise. I noticed early on that the writers here did not overwrite; they provided precise content without getting bogged down in useless details. You read it for a short moment, and you understood the whole story. These foundational principles of journalism are exactly what we need to navigate the chaotic digital disruption of today.

The Threat of Partisan Echo Chambers

We are currently standing at a crossroads. As digital disruption accelerates, there is a profound and dangerous temptation for media organisations to chase the loudest voices. We see media outlets catering to specific political factions simply to gain popularity, drive clicks, or appease a specific segment of social media.

I have a very firm stance on this: the core duty of the media must always remain tethered to the truth. Defining neutrality is simple, as the media must present factual information. “Neutral” means adhering strictly to the facts. If an action is good, praise it; if it is not good, criticise it. This is my definition of neutral. A neutral media is one that anchors itself to reality, not to a political camp.

The burden of ethics is heavy. If we are preoccupied with just looking at what society wants — or what a vocal faction demands — and then present news solely to match that appetite, we will actively play a part in destroying our society. This rests entirely on the ethics of the editor. An editor must not incite the public to lean in a direction it shouldn’t.

We must also recognise the “silent power”. The readers who have loud voices might demand one thing, but if you adhere to the facts, the people who are the silent power will attach themselves to you. All credible media stand on this silent majority. The loud voices are fleeting — they make a fuss for a moment, and their ugliness eventually shows.

Even today, I look at the Bangkok Post and see that it doesn’t just lean along with whoever is making noise. It adheres to the facts, and I still praise this institution for holding that line.

Innovating for the Next Generation

Despite my traditional roots, I am aware of the existential threat posed by shifting digital consumption habits. We cannot ignore reality. The younger generation — those in their twenties and thirties — do not read newspapers the way my generation did. They do not have the patience for long-winded articles when they can turn to search engines for immediate gratification.

If we want to survive, we must adapt. We have to ask ourselves how we can make our media behave more like AI.

To remain relevant, mainstream media must aggressively innovate. First, we must embrace immediate answers. You have to join hands with AI and create an interface where if a younger reader asks a question, you can answer immediately based on our factual reporting.

Second, we must change the narrative and advertise our evolution boldly. Tell the public that nowadays, if you want to know the news, just ask, and the Bangkok Post answers. Just ask, and we will answer; you don’t have to go read anywhere else.

Finally, we must lean into interactive journalism. Provide a curated, daily list of 20 burning questions. Let the readers choose from those topics, click on them, and have the factual answer pop up instantly.

If we can crack this and break through, our media will survive. We will win the hearts of a generation that values speed, while continuing to provide them with the reliability of vetted journalism.

Looking ahead to the next twenty years, the media’s role will be indispensable as Thailand navigates complex cultural and political transformations. When I observe our political and social structure, I see a framework of individuals of a conservative nature embedded in various places within our society.

However, this is not the extreme, rigid political conservatism you might see elsewhere. It is a conservatism that comes from “Thainess”. In practice, it is about people being compassionate toward one another. It is about a culture of mutual assistance — helping each other out and not abandoning one another in times of crisis. Ultimately, it is a uniquely Thai-style social value system.

Because of these deep-rooted values, radical political movements often struggle to maintain long-term momentum here. If a movement goes to the extreme, it eventually stalls because it doesn’t connect with the Thai system of compassion and unity. It naturally deteriorates because it is too far removed from how Thai people actually feel. As a society, we want progress, but we also want to preserve the cultural fabric that holds us together.

Looking Ahead to Our 80th Anniversary

In 2026, the Bangkok Post will celebrate its 80th anniversary. It is a monumental milestone. To mark this occasion, we shouldn’t just look backward at what we have achieved; we must look forward to the economic and social future of Thailand.

The media’s role as an arbiter of facts is more vital today than when I first opened this newspaper as a boy. Through a steadfast commitment to the truth, a refusal to pander to partisan outrage, and a bold embrace of digital innovation, I am confident we will continue to guide Thai society toward a peaceful and informed future.

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MR Pridiyathorn Devakula was former Governor of the Bank of Thailand from 2001to 2006 before becoming Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister in 2006. He served again as Deputy Prime Minister from 2014 to 2015.