'Further success' for Thai PBS
The outgoing boss of Thai Public Broadcasting Service says it is ready for the transformation from analog to digital terrestrial broadcasting and will continue to improve the quality of its programmes to serve a wider viewer base under the administration
Thepchai Yong, managing director of the country’s first public broadcasting service, said yesterday that Thai PBS had proved itself to be a channel that delivered inspiration, imagination and knowledge to the public during its four years of operation. It was also able to attract public participation in society through its TV programmes.
“So now Thai PBS is on the right track in terms of serving public interests,” said Thepchai, whose tenure will end next Tuesday. After that, veteran journalist Somchai Suwanban will take over for a four-year term.
Thepchai believes that Thai PBS will remain a key driver in the promotion of participatory democracy. Though there will be changes in the broadcasting industry under the Broadcasting Act 2008, Thai PBS has already received a temporary broadcasting licence for public service, thus ensuring the job security of its 940 employees.
He said Thai PBS should focus on improving the quality of its existing and new TV programmes despite the organisation’s limited annual operating budget of Bt2 billion derived from excise taxes on tobacco and alcohol.
Thai PBS is in need of extra funding from the government for further expansion such as producing its own documentaries, news reporting in Asean countries and a new public radio station, he said.
Thepchai, 57, who has 30 years of experience in newspapers and broadcasting, revealed that he would return to work as a reporter and news anchorman with a new satellite TV news channel in the Asean region.
