The challenge for community radio in Thailand: Diversity and pluralism.

This article examines the current state of community radio in Thailand, highlighting its diversity of religious and secular stations but noting significant limitations in fulfilling the principles of genuine community radio—defined by access, participation, self-management, diversity, and pluralism. Despite a proliferation of stations since the early 2000s, most programming centers on entertainment, official news, and religious content, with political discourse largely absent due to regulatory, technical, and political constraints. Management is often dominated by local elites or affiliated organizations, with limited community involvement and a predominantly older, male volunteer base, while younger audiences increasingly turn to social media. The study concludes that without clearer licensing, increased support, and expanded transmission capacity, genuine community radio in Thailand risks marginalization, reducing media diversity and leaving rural and minority communities underrepresented.