An off-axis model of GRB 031203

The low-luminosity radio emission of the unusually faint GRB 031203 has been argued to support the idea of a class of intrinsically subenergetic gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), currently comprising two members. While low-energy GRBs probably exist, we show that the collective prompt and multiwavelength observations of the afterglow of GRB 031203 do not necessarily require a subenergetic nature for that event. In fact, the data are more consistent with a typical, powerful GRB seen at an angle of about twice the opening angle of the central jet. The intrinsic peak energy E p of GRB 031203 then becomes similar to 2 MeV, similar to that of many other GRBs.