How Influential Is Social Media In Thailand’s Election?

[webfact]

How influential is social media in Thailand’s election?

By Jon Russell

I’ve read, seen and heard a number of statements discussing the role of social media in Thailand politics. Most conclude that the role of social media will be “huge” in the forthcoming Thai election, however the subject is somewhat more complicated and worth exploring.

The answer for me is yes and no at the same time.

‘Yes’ because clearly social media is a major focus of time and money for both major parties (as I previously outlined). It has changed how they communicate publicly and with their own supporters. Yet the answer can also be a ‘no’ because, in a country where internet penetration is less than one third, no internet-based service enjoys mass market reach.

The demographics online are also not entirely representative of the country. Urban areas, in particular Bangkok, have greater representation (proportionally) online while many of the less affluent of the population are unable to access the internet on a regular basis.

When talking social media in the Thai election Facebook and Twitter are the two main platforms, with both playing distinctly different roles. The following looks at how politicians and parties are using social media, and how issues are discussed by potential voters on platforms like Twitter and Facebook.

Twitter

Twitter is a niche but increasingly significant platform in Thailand. It has a far smaller pool of reach in the country than other sites, with estimates ranging from 500,000 to 1 million users. Even the highest estimate on usage represents little more than 1.5% of the population and a small fraction of Thailand’s 20 million internet users.

Though it does not have mass appeal, even within Thailand’s internet user community, Twitter is becoming a well used tool for politicians. It is ideal for posting short, personal updates which can cover a range of content from personal statements, campaign comments, policy details, media statements and even interviews or responses to questions.

Twitter allows supporters and fans to get up-to-the-minute updates from political parties and figures keeping them informed – which I suspect may be a reason for the increased number of Twitter users in Thailand.

While Twitter doesn’t have direct reach to significant numbers of the Thai population many Twitter users are key influencers – journalists, policy-makers, analysts etc – who regularly use to site to find information and details which may be used in other areas where they may have greater influence over the country, such as media articles. [more...]

Full story: http://asiancorrespondent.com/56997/how-influential-is-social-media-in-thailands-election/

-- asiancorrespondent.com 2011-06-11

[anterian]

From the article "Thailand’s digital divide is what keeps usage of the web so limited"

I would suggest an even greater divide is the ability of most to communicate in English.

[whybother]

From the article "Thailand's digital divide is what keeps usage of the web so limited"

I would suggest an even greater divide is the ability of most to communicate in English.

You know you can get Thai keyboards, and most social networking sites work with Thai too.

[anterian]

From the article "Thailand's digital divide is what keeps usage of the web so limited"

I would suggest an even greater divide is the ability of most to communicate in English.

You know you can get Thai keyboards, and most social networking sites work with Thai too.

Indeed, I have several such keyboards, but this is not so true of laptops and notebooks, and yes, Twitter and facebook both accept Thai fonts, but it does mean that discussion become a niche area, they cannot benefit from a more global viewpoint.

[whybother]

From the article "Thailand's digital divide is what keeps usage of the web so limited"

I would suggest an even greater divide is the ability of most to communicate in English.

You know you can get Thai keyboards, and most social networking sites work with Thai too.

Indeed, I have several such keyboards, but this is not so true of laptops and notebooks, and yes, Twitter and facebook both accept Thai fonts, but it does mean that discussion become a niche area, they cannot benefit from a more global viewpoint.

Where are you buying your laptops? It's nearly impossible to get one without a Thai keyboard in Thailand.

Seeing as the article is discussing "social media in Thailand's election", I don't think that there would be much of a "global viewpoint".

[anterian]

From the article "Thailand's digital divide is what keeps usage of the web so limited"

I would suggest an even greater divide is the ability of most to communicate in English.

You know you can get Thai keyboards, and most social networking sites work with Thai too.

Indeed, I have several such keyboards, but this is not so true of laptops and notebooks, and yes, Twitter and facebook both accept Thai fonts, but it does mean that discussion become a niche area, they cannot benefit from a more global viewpoint.

Where are you buying your laptops? It's nearly impossible to get one without a Thai keyboard in Thailand.

Seeing as the article is discussing "social media in Thailand's election", I don't think that there would be much of a "global viewpoint".

Hm, the article talked about a digital divide, I merely said I think there is a linguistic one as well. If you choose to disagree, as you normally do with me, then fair enough

But it does rather narrow the perspective of such people, particularly when discussing international topics, like airport seizures, arson, street battles and more recently the Cambodian border. Or do you believe such issues are purely Thai affairs and Thais should ignore global opinion.

[Atmos]

strange^

Thai news media, television, print and internet based - they also cover 'global events', in Thai, for Thai people..

[whybother]

Hm, the article talked about a digital divide, I merely said I think there is a linguistic one as well. If you choose to disagree, as you normally do with me, then fair enough

But it does rather narrow the perspective of such people, particularly when discussing international topics, like airport seizures, arson, street battles and more recently the Cambodian border. Or do you believe such issues are purely Thai affairs and Thais should ignore global opinion.

Do they need to know Cambodian, too, to read about or discuss the border issues?

[anterian]

Hm, the article talked about a digital divide, I merely said I think there is a linguistic one as well. If you choose to disagree, as you normally do with me, then fair enough

But it does rather narrow the perspective of such people, particularly when discussing international topics, like airport seizures, arson, street battles and more recently the Cambodian border. Or do you believe such issues are purely Thai affairs and Thais should ignore global opinion.

Do they need to know Cambodian, too, to read about or discuss the border issues?

Not at all, why such a trivial comment? You know full well that English is the international language of communication, I have met many Cambodians on line who can write in good English. But I was not talking about a Cambodian viewpoint, although it might be interesting, I was talking about a global viewpoint.

[lannarebirth]

This one currently making the Thai social media rounds:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGpRWuUdrzg&feature=related

[WeeGB]

I think it's impossible to tell the influence of social media, until after the election. It is a relatively new phenomenon, although I did have both Mr Abhisit & Miss Yingluck appear on my facebook page, asking to be "liked" . Unfortunately I thought it said "licked" and voted for Miss Y....sorry Mark !!