Bangkok Post

[Sparkles]

I am just floating this post to see whether readers are as frustrated as I am with the quality of our self proclaimed leading newspaper. Like a lot of people I buy the Bangkok Post on a daily basis hoping that it might stimulate some interest with me in local and international news and editorial content.

At this time Thailand is experiencing a change in leadership and Governement which affects, in one way and another, all of us.But do we get any intelligent,investigative reporting ? Well if yesterdays issue is any indication ,no we don't. Part of yesterdays front page was taken up with an interview, plus photo, with Prime Minister Samaks driver who explained the reasons that Mr Samak likes to have a banana leaf Grasshopper hanging from his rear vision mirror in his private Jaguar to bring him good luck. Rivetting stuff... what can we expect next an interview with his fortune teller ?

I believe the Bangkok Post has an obligation to its readers to lift its game. Does the Editorial staff believe this drivel is what we want to read. How do we pressure them to provide what we are paying for? Boycotting the product never seems to work. Any ideas anybody or am I being too critical.

[pattyboy]

I gave up on the Bangkok Post ages ago when it became apparent that it was nothing more that a propaganda rag for Thaksin Shiniwatra's government. I suspect they will continue to kowtow to this government, so we will never see unbiased investigative reporting -- only the silly crap and lies that the Thai government wants people to see.

[mrtoad]

It continues to dissapoint, and I really sometimes wonder why I buy it. I think it is more out of habit, than enthusiasim to read the majority of drivel which they publish. There are the odd few articles that are interesting, but for 25bht, it's hardly good value.

Thankfully, there are plenty of good news sources on the internet. For the Countries leading English newspaper, it really is quite shameful.

[micksterbs]

Yep, have to say I agree. I too buy it more out of habit than anything else. It's ostensibly the reason behind a 23km bicycle ride every morning but I derive far more enjoyment (and benefit) from the ride than the read. I probably spend longer doing the crossword and Sudoku than actually reading the paper which is pretty damning. So many of the domestic articles keep you hanging. I mean, one gets to the end of some government-related story and there seems to be no conclusion, no resolution. Some of the editorial comment is reasonable, especially Sanitsuda Ekachai and Jon Ungphakorn. But really, when you recall that preposterous full-page CNN interview with Samak the other day, most editors would devote a similar amount of space to an interview with Abhisit as a balance. But yes, I suppose the "Invisible Hand" deemed that we need to know more about Samak's cuddly side hence the grasshopper piece.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Yep, have to say I agree. I too buy it more out of habit than anything else. It's ostensibly the reason behind a 23km bicycle ride every morning but I derive far more enjoyment (and benefit) from the ride than the read. I probably spend longer doing the crossword and Sudoku than actually reading the paper which is pretty damning. So many of the domestic articles keep you hanging. I mean, one gets to the end of some government-related story and there seems to be no conclusion, no resolution. Some of the editorial comment is reasonable, especially Sanitsuda Ekachai and Jon Ungphakorn. But really, when you recall that preposterous full-page CNN interview with Samak the other day, most editors would devote a similar amount of space to an interview with Abhisit as a balance. But yes, I suppose the "Invisible Hand" deemed that we need to know more about Samak's cuddly side hence the grasshopper piece.

Samaks 'cuddly side '

[micksterbs]

Yep, have to say I agree. I too buy it more out of habit than anything else. It's ostensibly the reason behind a 23km bicycle ride every morning but I derive far more enjoyment (and benefit) from the ride than the read. I probably spend longer doing the crossword and Sudoku than actually reading the paper which is pretty damning. So many of the domestic articles keep you hanging. I mean, one gets to the end of some government-related story and there seems to be no conclusion, no resolution. Some of the editorial comment is reasonable, especially Sanitsuda Ekachai and Jon Ungphakorn. But really, when you recall that preposterous full-page CNN interview with Samak the other day, most editors would devote a similar amount of space to an interview with Abhisit as a balance. But yes, I suppose the "Invisible Hand" deemed that we need to know more about Samak's cuddly side hence the grasshopper piece.

Samaks 'cuddly side '

Perhaps I should have put quotation marks around cuddly side...

[sgunn65]

I get it to re-assure me that living in Bangkok is one of the safest places on the planet!! There is virtually no crime here. If there was it would be in the countries leading English language paper! If its not in the papers it must be true!

[Siripon]

I remember reading that the majority of the readers of The Bangkok Post are Thais so they probably see the grasshopper story as a human interest story.

[samran]

BKK post is dross, though the Nation is marginally more interesting. Both papers have their biases, but the BKK post has Garfield and Peanuts.

I've given up on both of them, and put the money towards an edition of the economist or a print out copy of the Weekend Australian, Guardian or Sunday Times (all circa 180 baht).

[asiaworld]

boring agree.. i stoped looking forward to it, after they've ditched 'the night owl' & nation isn't better ! Just browse them ,when on the flight once in a while, nothing noteworthy except ocasional classifieds.. Yeah they ARE the nation's leading newspapers>>but it's NOT the english speaking nation !

Try South China morning Post, The Star, Straights Times if you want to read Newspaper

[polecat]

Wow, it's pretty easy to knock the Post, isn't it. However, if you think it is pro-Samak (whose party was elected with a massive majority- democracy?) you are wrong. In fact, one of the biggest problems with the Post is that it does nothing but criticise the party in power - exactly how it was with Thaksin at the end. Oh, and I am pretty sure the CNN interview was printed (in the Nation too, I think) because it highlighted what a despicable idiot Samak is.

Edited February 13, 2008 by polecat