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Published on March 10, 2008

Paid advertising on satellite and cable channels could be the funding source that content providers could only dream of in the past. Forward-thinking, progressive companies will use this money stream to improve the quality of their programming and lower the draconian fees we as viewers must pay here in Thailand. Or will they?

I have read four articles quoting unnamed sources at True Vision saying they will not lower fees. They said that 10 per cent of their revenue would now come from advertising - but this huge amount of money will not reduce our fees one baht. They will however raise the channel count to 100 from the 90 we currently are able to enjoy. This will mean more "classic" channels, at little or no cost, with programming from the 1980s and 1990s to quench our thirst for quality television. Perhaps True Vision will relent and allow us to view programming previewed during the endless promotions for Singapore television if they can get it at a low cost. I have called my cable provider several times as requested in the adverts but True Vision says there are no plans for adding these channels to their line-up.

I would hope many of us would contact True Vision and voice our displeasure with their content and pricing. True Vision holds a monopoly in most urban cities in Thailand; consequently we have no real choice when it comes to satellite and cable television. True Vision's parent company, the Charoen Pokphand Group, is sending billions of US dollars to countries like Vietnam to increase their bottom line at the expense of their subscribers here in the Kingdom.

David Barkdull

Bangkok

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Arrest of weapons dealer turned into a media circus

Watching the news of the arrest of Russian weapons dealer Viktor Bout on information supplied by international agencies, the event turned out to be a circus. Everyone was trying to get their faces on TV, pushing one another out of the way to get some of the publicity associated with the arrest. It was a disgusting display.

Why do we think this man was here in the first place? Because a lot of these international criminals find our nation a "safe haven" as everything is for sale.

A low-key arrest would have been more suitable instead of this circus-style display. Recriminations are imminent as this type of international high-profile criminal entity is obviously well connected.

Noppadon

Bangkok

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Thailand bullying Cambodia on Preah Vihear temples

Re: "Cambodia is wrongly claiming part of its territory: FM", Regional, March 8.

Please refer to the conclusion of your article: "The two countries [Thailand and Cambodia] have clashed previously over ownership of the Preah Vihear Hindu temple. Bangkok opposes Phnom Penh's plans to list it as a United Nation's World Heritage site before ownership is settled."

The ownership of Preah Vihear temple has already been settled, by the World Court of Justice in The Hague on June 15, 1962. Your article is misconstruing a fact by saying that Bangkok opposes the listing of the temple as a World Heritage site before ownership is settled.

Thailand might not be satisfied with the ruling but that is the court's ruling. This opposition is a clear violation of the court and international law, and constitutes a continuing violation of Cambodian sovereignty by Thailand.

If Thailand wants to include any part of its territory on the World Heritage list, it should apply to Unesco to do so, but not interfere with Cambodia's affairs. It's just an excuse for Thailand to assert its claim over the temple.

Furthermore, Thailand should ask itself who built the temple to begin with. Being a good neighbour doesn't mean flexing your muscles to settle a dispute just because you're bigger, and Cambodia certainly does not want any border clashes, for obvious reasons.

Ric Souen

Bangkok

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