Broadcasters pushing for advert spots

Around 3,000 operators attended the first public hearing held by the state-sponsored working group drafting the regulations.

According to the proposed community radio law, eligible licence applicants are Thai associations, foundations or legal persons, all founded under Thai law to serve the public interest with no intention of seeking a profit. State agencies are excluded.

Once they register with the National Telecommunications Commission, they can broadcast for 90 days to test for any possible problems before applying for the one-year licence.

Natee Sukonrat, chairman of the working panel, said the draft might be amended so stations can try broadcasting for one year, instead of 90 days, to give them more time to prepare their operations.

The regulations do not focus on the commercial aspect but on the promotion of the public welfare by community radio, he said.

The commercial community radio stations will have to wait for the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to be established and draw up comprehensive regulations.

Article 90 of Broadcasting Act of 2008 allows the NTC to oversee community radio and cable TV pending the creation of the NBTC.

Some community radio stations voiced opposition to the regulations, saying they did not come from the NBTC. All stations should obtain a licence so the whole industry would be legalised, Natee said.

The panel will meet tomorrow to amend the draft for submission to the state radio and TV broadcasting committee on Friday and then to the NTC on May 20.

If all goes as planned, the regulations will be published in the Royal Gazette this year.

More than 5,000 community radio stations operate across the country - all with no licence. About 500 are estimated to be commercial. More than 1,000 are expected to apply for a licence.