INFORMASI
Vol. 56 No. 1 (2026): Informasi

Digital Censorship and The Transnational Strengthening of Political Activism in Thailand and Southeast Asia

Syifa Aulia Jasmine (Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta)
Sugito (Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 Jun 2026

Abstract

This study examines how digital censorship shapes political expression and online activism in Thailand, with attention to emerging transnational influences in Southeast Asia. It explores how legal restrictions affect communication practices and how activists adapt under surveillance and legal uncertainty. Using qualitative case study approach, the research analyze 150 purposively selected Twitter (X) posts, legal documents including the Computer Crime Act and Article 112 of the Thai Criminal Code, and over 20 secondary reports from NGOs and media. The findings reveal that state-imposed social media restrictions produces a strong chilling effect, lead to self-censorship and indirect, symbolic political expression. Activist use coded language, memes, hashtags, and meaning-making. This study concludes that despite increasing repression, online political engagement in Thailand remains active, resilient, and evolving. The research highlights the urgent need to safeguard digital rights and freedom of expression in emerging democracies

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

informasi

Publisher

Subject

Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Library & Information Science

Description

INFORMASI is an academic journal that centered in communication, is open and welcoming to contributions from the many disciplines and approaches that meet at the crossroads that is communication study. We are interested in scholarship that crosses disciplinary lines and speaks to readers from a ...