Thai PBS joins Myanmar and international media in organising a joint newsroom titled “Myanmar Election Media Monitoring”, on 28 December 2025 at Thai PBS’s Chiang Mai bureau. The gathering featured panel discussions, news content sharing, and analysis of developments in Myanmar.
The Myanmar's general election is being conducted in three phases, with the first round held on December 28, followed by two additional rounds scheduled approximately two weeks apart. The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar and governments of several countries have condemned the election as a 'sham'.
Clare Patchimanon, Director of Thai PBS World, explained the rationale behind the collaboration: "Many international media outlets have found it difficult to enter Myanmar to report. As Chiang Mai is home to several independent Myanmar media organizations and Thai PBS also operates a bureau here, we saw an opportunity to invite them for joint coverage, which aligns with our goal of building regional media networks."
The event brought together Thai PBS and over 20 international media organizations and academics, led by independent Myanmar outlets including Mizzima News, Democratic Voice of Burma, and members of the Myanmar Independent Press Council, alongside regional broadcasters such as NHK and Taiwan's PTS.
According to the Myanmar Internet Project, the junta has intensified digital repression in the lead-up to the elections, including surveillance, information control, and selective internet connectivity.
One scheduled panelist was unable to attend. In her last contact, she reported difficulty crossing the border from Myanmar before communication was lost. Beyond concerns over media representation and security, panelists warned that the election poses long-term risks to Myanmar's democratic struggle.
