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Published on October 29, 2007

But the vote will not be straightforward.

Assemblyman Akapol Sorasuchart has proposed scrapping Article 55 of the Public Television Bill. Others believe it is crucial to the legislation.

The clause requires TITV to transfer its assets and frequency to the Public Broadcasting Authority (PBA), paving the way for the broadcaster to become a public station.

Akapol said Article 55 was just a directive and not necessarily. It should address in a general way public television without specific conditions for TITV.

"TITV still has its own unresolved legal problems," Akapol said. "But Article 55 would turn the station into a public station instantly. I'm afraid there will be future complications."

Somkiat Tangkitvanich, who is working on the revamp of the station argued removing the article would take away the heart of the bill, because the legislation aims to make TITV the country's first public broadcaster.

"If Article 55 is removed, what remains will be meaningless. The PBA was established to operate public television; it will have no immediate target. Public television would not happen because it would mean TITV not having to transfer its assets to the agency," he said.

"If TITV remains as it is only a few will benefit," he said.

The Nation