Sarft minister Wang Taihua raised the issue yesterday during a meeting with MCOT executives including director-general Mingkwan Sangsuwan and Rawat Chamchalerm.

Wang said the proposal was intended to serve Chinese in Thailand, including tourists. He noted that there were many Chinese tourists here, especially during China's three long holidays on New Year, May Day and the country's national day.

Mingkwan and Rawat said they would have to check if any regulations prohibited such an arrangement, especially since the Finance Ministry held almost 80 per cent of MCOT's shares.

Sarft is the Chinese government's arm for control of all broadcasting channels. Organisations under its responsibility include CCTV's television channels, China Radio International and the Xinhua News Agency.

During the meeting, MCOT and Sarft also signed a memorandum of understanding on the exchange of TV and radio programmes as well as staff of the two organisations.

MCOT has cooperated with the Chinese media since 1971, when it signed a contract with Xinhua. It signed a contract with CCTV last year on the exchange of documentary and other edutainment content.

Sarft is the eighth media organisation with which MCOT has signed memoranda of understanding during Mingkwan's tenure as director-general. The others are CNN from the US, BBC from the UK, TVS from France, DW from Germany, Rai TV from Italy, NHK from Japan and South Korea's KBS.

In cooperation with the

Public Relations Department, MCOT is creating an international broadcasting centre for its

own and its international partners' programmes on the work and life of HM the King to mark the 60th anniversary of his accession.

MCOT and CCTV are also co-producing an ambitious documentary on the Mekong River. The 20 episodes in the series are scheduled for broadcast from early next year.

Nitida Asawanipont

The Nation