To mark World Press Freedom Day (May 3), Foreign Correspondent’s Club will host a panel discussion called How Free is Thailand’s Media Now?.

The event will feature Thai media heavyweights like Nopporn Wong-Anan, a journalist with 25 years' experience working in Thailand and Singapore for publications including Forbes Thailand, The Wall Street Journal and Reuters, Kulachada Chapipat, who formerly spent more than 10 years at The Nation and is now a campaign manager for the South-East Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), Chiranuch Premchaiporn, the director of online news group Prachathai, and Anuthee Dejthevaporn, who has almost four four years experience as field reporter for the political beat on on Voice TV.

World Press Freedom Day was officially announced in December 1993 to celebrate the lives and work of former and present journalists making a difference in the world and ensuring the freedom of information. This year also marks the anniversary of three other large milestones: the 250th anniversary of the world’s first freedom of information law, the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Windhoek declaration of press and freedom principles and the beginning of the 15 year life cycle of sustainable energy rules.

However, the day is also a dark one for the kingdom. In the annual World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders, Thailand dropped two places since last year, from 134th to 136th out of 180 countries. Khaosod English political reporter, Pravit Rojanaphruk, was also barred from attending this year’s Index on Censorships’ Freedom of Expression awards in Helsiniki despite being a finalist.

The discussion begins at 7pm at Maneeya Centre and cost B450 for non-members, B150 for journalists and students (with ID) and free for members.

Penthouse Floor, Maneeya Centre, 508/5 Phloen Chit Rd., 02-652-0580-1. BTS Chid Lom