“Semi-Public Space”: Social Media Under the Control of the Thai Government

Abstract

This article examines Jürgen Habermas's concept of the “Public Sphere”. He argues that media is a form of public sphere that plays a key role in promoting democracy, as citizens are able to express their opinions on public matters freely and equally. There are also phenomena and studies that demonstrate that social media serves as a public sphere that empowers citizens even more. The article demonstrates specific occurrences in Thai society, pointing out that while citizens increasingly use social media to critique the state, state agencies also employ these platforms for surveillance and control. Furthermore, there is an “online witch hunt movement” that acts like the state, electronically monitoring and prosecuting numerous citizens. The article argues that, in Thailand, social media could be merely a “semi-public space”, because citizens cannot freely express their political opinions without state sanctions. The social and political context is crucial for creating a Public Sphere and developing democracy. It also concerns the meaning of “public” which should be discussed regarding what and who are included so that they can be critiqued through media democratically.