They told a meeting of 500 broadcast workers, advertisers and agencies discussing turning TITV into a public broadcaster that running such a network was too expensive.

A public station would not be financially independent as a result of its social objectives, they said.

Television-show host and head of producer Born and Associates, Traipop Limprapat, said he hoped a new government would reverse the interim administration's plan.

Transforming TITV into a public station would take another six months - just about the time the country is due to have an election.

The Public Relations Department assumed responsibility for TITV in early March. It has yet to pay its employees because of "technical problems" accessing money for salaries.

The station's advertising revenue plunged by half in May from the same period last year. Advertisers are said to "lack confidence" in the direction of TITV.

Traipop did not object to the concept of public television but believed it would be reviewed and discarded in favour of a financially independent and sustainable broadcaster.

The government set aside

Bt1.5 billion to finance the new station. But Traipop said the money was insufficient and failed to budget for the Bt3 billion it would cost to set up a public broadcaster.

"It is not possible for TITV to use Channel 11 to operate because Channel 11 belongs to the government. Besides, station equipment needs to be refurbished once every three years. The question is: How will the government pay for this?" he asked.

He wondered who would want to work for a station unlikely to make a profit in the long run.

Department chief Pramoj Rathavinij told a news conference it would not intervene in TITV operations for the six months before it becomes a public station.

Media buyer Suphawe Dechaburananon said the statement restored confidence in the station. She believed competition encouraged producers to improve the quality of their programmes.

Nonetheless, Suphawe hoped the government would reconsider making TITV a public network so audiences had more alternatives.

TITV was worth Bt10 billion and employed many people who would suffer because of the government's decision, she said.

PRD's Pramoj said the department considered TITV important. "My duty is to ensure people can work effectively."

He said employees' salaries would be paid soon.

The department would appoint five TITV board members to focus on employment and programming.

The Finance Ministry established a new account for TITV to ensure its revenues were separate from state cash. The account had a balance of Bt130 million.

Advertising revenue in May to date was between Bt80-90 million - down 50 per cent on the same month last year.

The station's operating costs were about Bt30 million a month - a third of which was for salaries.

TITV news director Ajsha Suwanpakprak said a group of about 70 employees had formed a company called Independent Television to accept work assigned by the department.

Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn

The Nation