National News Bureau of Thailand (NNT)

The National News Bureau of Thailand (NNT) is the official news agency of the Thai government, operating under the auspices of the Public Relations Department (PRD). Established to serve as the state’s mouthpiece, NNT plays a central role in shaping the domestic and international dissemination of information regarding the government’s policies, initiatives, and perspectives. Alongside its online news platform, the bureau produces television segments that are aired on NBT World, Thailand’s state-run English-language international news channel.

Media assets

News agency: NNT

Digital portal: Thainews.prd.go.th

State Media Matrix Typology

Ownership and governance

The NNT is directly managed by the Public Relations Department, which itself falls under the Office of the Prime Minister. As such, the bureau is not editorially autonomous; it operates as an arm of the Thai state, carrying out strategic communication and public information functions on behalf of the central government. Executive leadership within NNT is appointed through governmental channels, and there is no independent board structure to insulate the agency from political interference.

Source of funding and budget

NNT is wholly state-funded. Its operating budget is drawn from the national budget allocation to the PRD. There is no indication of independent revenue streams, such as advertising or syndication services, which underscores the agency’s dependence on public funds and reflects its function as a governmental rather than commercial news entity.

In the 2024 fiscal year, the PRD received a modest increase in budget allocation, some of which was directed toward upgrading digital infrastructure across NNT’s platforms. This included investments in AI-assisted translation tools and the expansion of English-language content to bolster international outreach through NBT World. However, no public breakdown of the NNT’s specific share of the PRD budget has been disclosed.

Editorial independence

NNT’s editorial policy is tightly aligned with the communication objectives of the Thai government. Functioning as a government bulletin rather than an independent news organization, the agency’s reporting is largely uncritical, with content typically framed to reinforce state narratives. News selection, framing, and language are subject to prior vetting by senior officials within the PRD. This lack of editorial autonomy is particularly visible during politically sensitive periods, such as national elections or civil unrest, when NNT coverage tends to echo official positions and avoid dissenting voices.

August 2025