The Impact of Post-Truth Politics on Democratic Society in the 2023 Thai General Election
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Abstract
Thailand transitioned to a democratic system in 1932. However, over the past 93 years, the development of democracy in Thailand has been persistently marked by political instability. One crucial factor that can foster democratic stability is public political participation, especially within the digital age, where citizens can access information and express political opinions freely and extensively. This context raises the question of how the perception of information from online public spheres, under the prevailing conditions of a post-truth political era, impacts Thai democracy. This article aims to examine phenomena observed during the 2023 general election by collecting political information and public discourse from social media, both before and after the election. This data was then subjected to content analysis to construct a conceptual framework that reflects the impact of the post-truth political era on Thai democratic society. The study findings indicate that online public sphere participation can foster deliberative and participatory democracy, provided that users possess media literacy skills and receive accurate, unbiased information. Conversely, negative impacts from fake news, including misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation, were also evident. These adverse effects led to the erosion of legitimacy for political institutions, emotionally charged discourse, superficial political decision-making, increased polarization, the phenomenon of bubble democracy, and widening inequalities within the public sphere. These factors collectively contribute to the decline of liberal democracy and simultaneously create avenues for the expansion of populist ideologies within the Thai political landscape.
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