International NY Times story on Thailand cut from front page by local printer, leaving blank

Bangkok: The printer of the International New York Times in Thailand refused to print an article portraying a gloomy outlook for the country, leaving in its place a large blank space at the center of today's front page. The printing company called the story too "sensitive" but declined to specify the offending material.

The article, titled "Thai spirits sagging with the economy" in the paper's other Asian editions, described a moribund economy, pessimism after years of political turmoil and concern about the royal succession. The military took power in a May 2014 coup, and elections that were promised have been put off until at least 2017.

Discussion of the monarchy has always been a delicate matter in Thailand, where strict laws limit frank discussion of the royal family. But freedom of speech has been constricted even further under the military government, prompting many publications and reporters to self-censor to avoid offending the junta. There was no indication that the government was involved in the decision not to print the story.

An official at Eastern Printing Company overseeing the paper's account said the printer decided not to publish the article because it was "inappropriate," without elaborating.

"It's sensitive," said the official, who declined to give her name for that reason. "The printing company has the right to deny printing articles that touch upon inappropriate issues, according to the contract."

Beyond highlighting a general sour mood among Thais, the article touches on the eventual succession of the ailing 87-year-old king. Insulting the monarchy is punishable by three to 15 years in prison.Another blank space appeared on page 6, where the rest of the article was to run. However, the article was still available online to readers in Thailand.

This is the second time in three months that the newspaper's local printer has blocked publication of a piece about Thailand. The printer decided not to publish the entire September 22 edition because it contained an article about the future of the Thai monarchy that it also called "too sensitive to print."