Thai Nescafe heir denies takeover talks with Thai TV
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THE HEIR to the Thai Nescafe coffee throne is still eyeing the digital TV business but is not negotiating with the owner of the Thai TV and Loca stations, which have been ordered to suspend their broadcasting by the regulator.
“I am in talks with several terrestrial digital TV operators about the possibility of becoming a part of this business, but not with Thai TV Company,” Chalermchai Mahagitsiri, chief executive officer of Four One One Entertainment, said on Tuesday.
Chalermchai did not elaborate on either investment or partnerships with existing players, but said he did not plan to make any soap operas.
This appears to shoot down a report claiming that Chalermchai had negotiated with media veteran Pantipa “Sister Tim” Sakulchai about the possibility of taking over her business after it faced difficulties in operations.
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission froze Thai TV’s two broadcasting licences because the company refused to pay the second instalment of the upfront licence fee and the annual licence fee.
Chalermchai said he was passionate about making films and organising foreign concerts. “I am still interested in the digital terrestrial TV business,” he said.
Two years ago, the son of Pravudh, who is ranked 18th-wealthiest in the country thanks to his fortune generated by |coffee ventures and the steel business, decided to take his two companies to the country’s first auction of 24 commercial digital TV licences. Four One One Entertainment applied for a licence for a standard-definition variety channel, while PM Group aimed for a high-definition variety channel. However, both companies failed to score because of the intense competition among key rivals.
Four One One Entertainment is focusing on show-business and event organisation. It is strong in importing foreign concerts and arranging fan meetings for local viewers.
Next month, the company will hold the “Change Music Connection Presents Gravity Thailand 2016 Arcadia – The Bangkok Takeover”.
The shows are a combination of pyrotechnics, circus performances, lighting and sound shows, and electronic dance music. The event will be staged in Lumpini Square, formerly the Suan Lum Night Bazaar.
Four One One is a member of PM Group, a privately held Thai conglomerate engaged in industrial products, consumer goods, development, golf courses, entertainment, education and investment.
