PATTAYA, THAILAND – The Pattaya Journalists Association marked Thailand’s National Mass Media Day 2026 with a charity visit and joint dinner in the city.
Donations first, dinner later
On 5 March, the association, led by president Amporn Saengkaew, organized a gathering at the Chum Bar in Pattaya that brought together journalists from the region. The event began at 4 p.m. with a handover of cash and in-kind donations to the Khathom Phra Siri Foundation in Nong Prue subdistrict.
Participants then returned to the main venue for the continuation of the program. The early focus on charitable activities set the tone for a day that combined social engagement with professional reflection.
A day with fixed significance in Thailand
National Mass Media Day in Thailand fell, as every year, on 5 March and commemorated the founding of the former Thai Journalists Association. That organization is now known as the Reporters Association of Thailand.
The Pattaya association used the date as an explicit opportunity to underline its professional ethos. It also aimed to strengthen solidarity among media workers at the local level.
Prominent guests from administration and security agencies
For the evening program, numerous local officeholders attended, including Pattaya mayor Poramese Ngampiches. The district chiefs Anusak Piriyamorn of Bang Lamung and Natthawut Anuyotha of Sattahip, as well as representatives of several municipalities, also joined the event.
The security side was conspicuously well represented with several senior police officers. Among them was Pol. Col. Anek Sarathongyu, chief of Pattaya City Police, together with responsible officials from Nong Prue, Huai Yai, Na Jomtien and the Tourist Police.
Call for accuracy and public-minded reporting
In his welcome address, Amporn Saengkaew explained the importance of the media day and framed it as a nationwide fixed point for journalistic self-assurance.
“National Mass Media Day is a moment for us across Thailand to reflect on our mission and measure ourselves against our professional standards.”
said Amporn Saengkaew, president of the Pattaya Journalists Association.
At the same time, he called on Pattaya’s media to continue providing accurate and socially useful news guided by the truth.
“Journalists in Pattaya must keep delivering correct and socially beneficial information that is firmly oriented toward the truth.”
said Amporn Saengkaew, president of the Pattaya Journalists Association.
Networking at 7 p.m. and a thank-you with prizes
From 7 p.m., the event shifted into a social dinner focused on exchange and networking, explicitly dedicated to the media day. The informal setting was designed to encourage conversation among journalists, officials and security representatives.
A highlight of the evening was a raffle supported by state agencies and local businesses. The prizes were intended as a visible token of thanks for the work and cooperation over the past year between the media and their partners.