The press criticizes government policies and publicizes corruption and human rights abuses, but journalists face occasional intimidation and exercise self-censorship regarding the military, monarchy, judiciary, and other sensitive issues. Each year the police issue several warnings to publications under the 1941 Printing and Advertisement Act, which broadly prohibits the media from disturbing the peace, interfering with public safety, or offending public morals. The government or the military controls all five national television networks, and the army owns most radio stations. The broadcast media generally offer pluralist views. Police occasionally use excessive force in containing public demonstrations.
Nongovernmental organizations are active but face some police harassment and intimidation.
The government is establishing an independent National Human Rights Commission, as called for by the 1997 constitution. Thailand s financial crisis has exacerbated unemployment and other social problems in a country with a minimal welfare system. Prostitution is illegal but widespread, in part because many local officials, police, and soldiers have a financial interest in its continuation and because the government barely enforces relevant laws. Many prostitutes, particularly women and girls from hill tribes and those trafficked from neighboring countries, are forcibly brought into the trade and are subjected to physical abuse and confinement. Girls sold into prostitution by their families become bonded laborers.