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The ''Bangkok Post'' is a broadsheet, English-language daily newspaper published in Bangkok, Thailand. The first issue was sold on 1 August 1946. It had four pages and cost 1 baht, a considerable amount at the time when a baht was a paper note. With a history of 67 years, it is Thailand's oldest newspaper in any language (Thailand's newspaper in its official language, ''Thai Rath'', began publishing in 1962, but the history of the newspaper began in 1950). In a country where media censorship is common, the ''Bangkok Post'' portrays itself as being comparatively free. There are instances where the newspaper has been accused of self-censorship to avoid controversy or conflict with powerful individuals, including adherence to the country's strict lèse-majesté law, which prohibits open criticism of members of the Thai Royal Family. Yet another example was the newspaper's failure during the Vietnam War to report on bombing forays made from US Air Force bases in Thailand over military targets in North Vietnam and Cambodia, none of which received coverage in the local press. The newspaper also is known for providing critical coverage and commentary on controversial topics, such as the impact of dam construction on farmers〔http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/investigation/380243/voices-of-the-dammed〕 corruption in the international rice trade,〔http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/383036/nacc-names-more-suspects-in-pledging-scheme-probe〕 extrajudicial killings as part of the 'war on drugs'〔http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/384560/thaksin-war-on-drugs-a-crime-against-humanity〕 and political controversies surrounding the Thaksin family.〔http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/383841/thaksin-moans-but-it-is-he-who-must-change〕 The ''Bangkok Post'' was at one time well known among expatriates for Bernard Trink's weekly ''Nite Owl'' column which covered the nightlife of Bangkok. Trink's column was published from 1966 (originally in the ''Bangkok World'') until 2004, when it was discontinued. The newspaper has a letters page where expatriate and Thai regulars exchange opinions on local and international concerns. According to the ''Post'', more than half of its total readership are Thai nationals.〔 ==History== The Bangkok Post was founded by Alexander MacDonald, a former OSS officer, and his Thai associate Prasit Lulitanond. Thailand at the time was the only Southeast Asian country to have a Soviet Embassy. The American embassy felt it needed an independent but generally pro-American newspaper to counter Soviet views. Some claim the financing came directly from the US State Department or possibly even the OSS itself, although there is no proof of this. Nevertheless, under MacDonald's stewardship, the ''Bangkok Post'' was reasonably independent and employed many young newsmen, including Peter Arnett and T. D. Allman, who later became known internationally. Alex MacDonald left Thailand after a military coup in the early 1950s, and the newspaper was later led by Roy, Lord Thomson. The paper has since changed hands. Major shareholders in Post Publishing include the Chirathivat family (owners of Central Group), the ''South China Morning Post'' of Hong Kong and GMM Grammy Pcl, Thailand's biggest media and entertainment company. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Bangkok Post」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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