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Published on January 16, 2008

"I have worked for the station for so long. My attachment to everyone here has grown so deep," she said, "Then, suddenly without prior notice, there was nothing left for me."

Tanit Tosatinnakorn, a crime reporter for the station, admitted he cried in front of his family because of the financial burdens now weighing heavily on him.

"I am a breadwinner," he said, "I have worked here for seven years. If I can choose, I want to stay on".

Preeyada Chanthaklang, 31, refused to answer calls from her parents because she still had no idea how to tell them about her situation. "I have four family members to take care of," she said.

The country's first public TV station is about to take over the main assets and frequency of TITV, which was known for many years as iTV.

TITV deputy news director Chatchai Tawantarong, said staff would lodge a complaint with the Administrative Court over the order to lay off all staff and pull existing TITV programmes off the air.

The order was made by Public Relations Department (PRD) director general Pramoj Rathavinij.

Currently, people tuning in to what was once TITV now find programmes prepared by the PRD.

"We will also petition the Labour Court," Chatchai said.

In Chiang Mai, more than 30 TITV news staff reported to the station's northern news centre and found there was no work for them to do.

"We feel sad. We don't know what we should do next," the centre's chief Noppadol Tandilok said.

Fans of TITV were also upset to see their favourite station closed down. Many rushed to the channel's headquarters to express their support for TITV staff and to demand justice for them.

"I will be here till the government provides justice," Wanfasuay Pattarachaiyanan, 58, said yesterday. She has camped out at the station since Monday night.

"I have watched the station's Hot News for years. I can't believe the government will close the station in such an ugly way," Wanfasuay said. She learnt from the Hot News anchorwoman that the station had received a fax ordering it to shut down at midnight.

Chatchaporn Piewthong-ngarm, 50, said she showed up to offer moral support for TITV staff. "I am also here to protect people's right to information," she said.

The Nation