MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
For those of us at the Bangkok Post, our birthday is very special. Seventy years ago today, our newspaper was born from the ashes of World War II, inspired by a dream and forged into reality by our founding fathers. Through their dedication and sacrifice, as well as the help of all the staff who worked with them in those early decades, they built a solid foundation for a respected newspaper.
As their successors, we continue to adhere to the founding values passed on and practised in the newsroom through the decades — impartiality, fairness, balance, honesty and a mission to serve and make a difference to Thai society by inspiring debate and discussion. We believe these values, reflected in our content, have earned us your trust and made us the institution we are today in the Thai newspaper and media industry. And I have no doubt future generations of Post men and women will adhere to these values and continue this tradition.
In marking our 70th anniversary, we present to you a first-ever 100-page edition of the Bangkok Post. Apart from your usual newspaper, we felt it fitting to produce two special publications.
First, 70 Years of Trust has stories about our founding fathers and the early decades of our newspaper. Former editors, some of our writers and staff have been asked to share their thoughts reflecting their experiences of more recent times.
Although we have been reporting on Thailand for 70 years, it is just not possible to tell its complete story. However, in our second special publication, 70 Years
of Change, we try to highlight some of the key political, economic and social developments that have shaped and changed our country. It is a reminder of where we were and how we arrived to where we are today. We hope you will enjoy this 70th anniversary edition of the Bangkok Post. At this point, I’d like to share with you a personal note. Even though it has been 34 years since I joined the Bangkok Post, I remember vividly how the book All the President’s Men prompted and inspired me to become a journalist. The work and dedication of rookie reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein brought down US president Richard Nixon.
I knew I could never be a Woodward or Bernstein. But like many others I was inspired by their example and wanted to be a member of a profession that could make a difference. And I found that opportunity in 1980 with the Bangkok Post.
And what a journey, what a ride, it has been. Like life, there have been ups and downs, upheavals, setbacks and deep disappointments. But there have also been times of great pride and satisfaction. One thing is certain: I have absolutely no regrets. How can there be when I’ve been able to chase a dream, make it a reality, and more?
I can point to a story or two that have made a difference to the lives of some Thais. I’ve had the privilege and honour to be the editor of the Bangkok Post, Thailand’s leading and one of the region’s most respected newspapers, not once but twice.
I was given the opportunity to propose, plan and work with a great team of editors and staff to launch our successful Thai-language business daily Post Today and be part of the launch of M2F (Monday to Friday), our free Thai-language tabloid. And to be a member of a team producing the Bangkok Post’s news and analysis programmes Morning Focus on national television was the icing on the cake.
I thank my board of directors, past and present, for the opportunity to lead this newspaper and be involved in the launch of two others. But more so, I thank all the editorial staff, my colleagues and friends of the Bangkok
Post for their support and dedication all these years. The same applies to the teams of Post Today and M2F. One thing is certain — without our people, the staff of Post Publishing, there would be no Bangkok Post, Post Today or M2F, whether in print, online or mobile.
On their behalf, I would like to thank all our readers for your trust and support, and allowing us to serve you and Thai society over the past 70 years and in the decades to come. But at this point, after 34 years, it is time for me to get off the tiger’s back and hand over the reins to the next generation of Post men and women. It is time for a new journey and the next adventure.