Though it has insisted that there is no need to appoint another arbitration panel, the Arbitration Institute yesterday forced iTV and the PM's Office to appoint their arbitrators.

In a statement to the Stock Exchange of Thailand, iTV said that the institute ordered it to appoint an arbitrator within 15 days and notify the PM's Office of the person's name.

"If the PM's Office fails to appoint its arbitrator within 30 days from the notified date, the company shall request the court in jurisdiction to appoint an arbitrator on behalf of the PM's Office," iTV said in its statement.

iTV said the Arbitration Institute would be notified of the result of the appointment of arbitrators on May 9.

Meanwhile, PM's Office Minister Khunying Dhipavadee Meksawan said yesterday that she had authorised the formation of a public hearing committee to sound out public opinion on how to operate TITV, the channel which was formerly operated by iTV. Chairing the 10-person committee is Darunee Hiranrak.

The public hearing will be conducted within 30 days from March 21, she said.

She also said that the PM's Office had submitted additional information to the Attorney-General's Office so that the latter can wrap up the legal lawsuit against iTV to pressure the former broadcaster to make the unpaid payments.

After revoking the broadcasting concession awarded to iTV 10 years ago, the PM's Office said that it would pursue the company for payment of unpaid concession fees of Bt2.2 billion as well as fines of over Bt100 billion.

If it fails to pay the amount, iTV could face bankruptcy.

The TV operator said in its statement that it had appointed Somkid Wangcherdchuwong as chairman, Nittimon Jungsiri as vice chairman and Vichchakoraput Rattan- avichaien as secretary to the board.