The interim government will submit a public television bill to the National Legislative Assembly by May 11, so it can turn Thailand's Independent Television (TiTV) into the country's first public broadcaster by end of its tenure.

Khunying Dhipavadee Meksa-wan, the PM's Office Minister, said the plan, approved by the Cabinet yesterday, would ensure the new broadcaster truly serves the public.

"It will be independent of the government - as well as big business groups," she said, adding that the public broadcaster would be run by a professional management team, not by state officials. To avoid political and business interference, the station will be funded by an earmarked tax from the Excise Department, as well as subsidies from public health, education, and other public funds.

Dhipavadee estimated that the station, which will have no advertising commercials, would need up to Bt1.7 billion for its annual budget.

Darunee Hiranruk, chairperson of the committee tasked with a public hearing on the future of TiTV, said about 70 per cent of respondents preferred the public TV model to the other option - a privately-owned TV station.

Somkiat Tangkijvanij, a committee member, said the proposed station would get a fixed tax revenue by law, so the government could not interfere with the station's funding.

"The cost of this station will depend on the quality of its contents. For medium quality programmes (18 hours per day), it may need an estimated Bt1.1 billion per year. For high-quality content, the budget would be as high as Bt1.7 billion.

"About 50 per cent of this amount will come from taxes," he said, adding that the Surayud government was expected to set up the first public broadcaster over the next six months.

For programmes, he said, the choices would be diverse, including quality news and current affairs, "edu-tainment" for children and disadvantaged youths, quality documentaries and dramas, etc.

A public organisation would be set up to operate the proposed station, supervised by a policy committee, a management committee, an editorial committee and a citizens' committee. Members of these committee would not be state officials.

Meanwhile, Suriyasai Katasila, secretary-general of Campaign for Democracy, expressed support for the government's plan.

"It represents a reform of the Thai mass media, but we have to ensure that the station is properly funded so that it doesn't have to turn to politicians for money.

"The proposed station should truly represent the interests of people and consumers and must be geared for growth, so that it doesn't end up like the state-owned Channel 11."

Suriyasai said the plan, if implemented properly, could become a major achievement of the Surayud government.

Poldej Pinpratheep, the deputy social development and human security minister, said the Surayud government should come up with a policy direction for Channel 11.

In addition, it should lay down groundwork on future use of three remaining UHF airwaves.