Transparent broadcasting changes urged

Surin delivered his comments in a speech yesterday at the “Competitive Position towards Asean 2015” seminar organised by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC). The event aimed to provide key information and ideas for local broadcasters, telecommunications companies and the public to boost their awareness of the potential impact on their businesses with the AEC less than three years distant.
“The AEC presents a big challenge for business to reap opportunities from this huge market, which will have a combined gross domestic product of US$2.2 trillion [Bt67.6 trillion] once the 10 Asean member countries become one [market],” Surin said. Combined annual growth in Asean markets is about 6-7 per cent, he said.
“If we achieve the transformation of the broadcasting industry from analog to digital terrestrial TV, as well as the upgrading of the telecommunications sector to third-generation wireless connectivity, we could be second to none in terms of competitiveness,” he said.
However, Surin suggested that these developments must be transparent to protect the public interest as well as to build foreign investors’ confidence in the country. At the same time, the NBTC and the government should lead and use advanced technology to create a regional virtual community in the telecommunications and broadcasting industry.
One of the key items on Asean’s agenda is the Asean Spectrum Policy Forum, which is held in cooperation with the European Union. ASPF will be a platform for Asean member countries to discuss broadcast-related matters such as spectrum harmonisation.
When the transformation is complete, Thailand could be a key player in this ASPF plan, Surin added.
Thares Punsri, chairman of the NBTC, said the AEC would have tremendous benefits for the member countries. The NBTC also aims to develop telecommunications operations, reduce the existing gap in accessibility to information technology, increase the country’s ability to compete with other nations, and to raise the standard of living of all Thais.
The NBTC has, therefore, announced its first master plan for 2012-16. One of the six major strategies is to ensure readiness to enter the AEC and to promote international cooperation, Thares added.
However, representatives of telecommunications and broadcasting businesses who attended the seminar raised concerns over the impact of Asean economic integration in 2015.
Preeyaporn Tangpaosak, a member of the executive committee at the Telecommunications Association of Thailand under Royal Patronage, said the government should stress the development of standards of local manufacturers of telecommunication hardware and software before the opening the AEC. This would facilitate trade in telecommunication products in the region, he said.
Preeyaporn added that the government should help local manufacturers achieve healthy growth in the domestic market before encouraging them to export their products and expand in the region.
Meanwhile, Payungsak Chartsutthipol, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, said the government and the NBTC should improve infrastructure and related regulations to support the sustainability of the private sector’s telecommunication and broadcasting businesses. This would in turn attract more foreign direct investment into the country, he said.
Regarding the broadcasting sector, Jaruek Kalijaruek, executive adviser of the Professionals of Broadcasting Council (Thailand), said Thai TV-content producers were considered among the top players in the region, while Thailand was also a regional TV and film production hub.
Jaruek suggested that local broadcasters who were keen to expand their business in Asean countries should learn about local cultures and seek the right partners in each country.
Additionally, Surin suggested the Thai government and related sectors support Thai media to create regional television channels providing news, information, entertainment and cultural content from a Thai perspective.