NBTC urged to finalise TV roadmap

Consumer advocates are pressing Thailand's National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to finalize a long-delayed roadmap for the country's broadcasting and TV landscape, alongside clear regulations for over-the-top (OTT) services. The Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) and Cofact Thailand submitted a letter to the NBTC chairman, warning that continued uncertainty burdens the public.

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If digital TV licences expire in 2029 without a clear transition plan, the worst-case scenario is a screen blackout.

Supinya Klangnarong, chairwoman of the TCC subcommittee on communications, telecom and information technology, highlighted the potential for a "screen blackout" if digital TV licenses expire in 2029 without a clear transition plan. She stressed that elderly citizens and low-income households, who rely heavily on free TV for news and information, are most at risk. "For these groups, free TV is not merely entertainment; it remains their primary source of information," she stated.

The consumer groups argue that radio frequency spectrum is a public resource and decisions must prioritize consumer interests. They also raised concerns about the rise of OTT platforms, noting that domestic operators face extensive regulatory obligations while many international digital platforms operate with less oversight. "We want to see a level playing field," Ms. Klangnarong said. "Thai operators and foreign platforms should be subject to comparable rules."

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For these groups, free TV is not merely entertainment; it remains their primary source of information.

Consumer protection must be central to any OTT framework, the groups insisted, calling for safeguards for personal data, privacy rights, content moderation, and advertising standards. They also emphasized the need for effective complaint mechanisms and meaningful remedies for consumers when harm occurs. The TCC has been monitoring the issue, arguing that the absence of a clear roadmap impacts not only broadcasters and investors but also the broader public interest.

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We want to see a level playing field. Thai operators and foreign platforms should be subject to comparable rules.