Thaicom 5 Down For Three Hours

[webfact]

Thaicom 5 down for three hours

By The Nation

by Usanee Mongkolporn

The Thaicom 5 broadcasting satellite suffered a technical glitch yesterday for about three hours before resuming normal service late in the evening.

The subsequent television-screen blackout initially prompted widespread speculation about political irregularities, including rumours of a coup or the seizure of the Thaicom ground facilities, which happened once during the red-shirt rally last April. Thaicom chief executive officer Arak Cholatanont said at an urgent press conference that the satellite experienced an "electrostatic discharge" problem.

The glitch occurred at 4.10pm yesterday, knocking off satellite TV channels, including six free TV stations aired on C-band frequencies. Thaicom took about three hours to solve the problem.

"I hope this problem does not happen again," Arak said, adding that such glitches did not frequently occur in any satellites. He added that the problem had nothing to do with politics.

The company confirmed that Thaicom 5 was still positioned in the 78.5 degrees east longitude orbital slot and had not fallen out of the slot as rumoured.

Thaicom operates two satellites: Thaicom 5 and broadband satellite iPSTAR.

Thaicom 5 was launched in 2006. It has serviced users in Asia, Europe, Australia and Africa. Its lifespan is at least 12 years.

In October 2006, the Thaicom 3 broadcasting satellite suffered a similar technical glitch with the power-supply system. It was later de-orbited.

The Information and Communications Technology Ministry held a separate news conference at the ministry in Laksi to talk about the Thaicom 5 situation. Permanent secretary Jirawan Boonperm said the problem would not have happened if Thaicom 5 had a back-up satellite.

She added that Thaicom and the ministry would soon launch talks to draw up specifications for a new satellite jointly, expected to be launched in 2013.

Thaicom is keen to launch the new broadcasting satellite but reportedly wants its concession owner - the ICT Ministry - to extend its concession term to match that of the planned satellite. This will make it commercially viable to launch the new satellite. Its concession will end in 2018.

The ICT Ministry has assigned CAT Telecom to conduct a feasibility study on launching a satellite for the 120 degrees east longitude slot. It also plans to send up another satellite to occupy the vacant 50.5 degrees east slot.

The moves are in line with the ministry's plan to maintain the country's right to reserve the two slots with the International Telecommunication Union.

-- The Nation 2011-04-22

[Deeral]

False alarm, but it shows how much credence is given to the military when they make statements about "not having a coup".

[AllanB]

Someone probably said "military coup" on one of these forums. "Don't panic, dont panic Mr Mainwaring"

All of a sudden it's news............

Maybe he hoped the Baht would go down and he could change his money during the panic window..

[News_Editor]

Thai PM denies coup rumors after television blackout

2011-04-22 08:18:44 GMT+7 (ICT)

BANGKOK (BNO NEWS) -- Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva denied rumors of a coup d'état following a nationwide television blackout on Thursday evening.


MCOT Online news reported that Minister to the Prime Minister's Office Ongart Klampaiboon reaffirmed that the Thaicom5 satellite lost its orbit, disrupting the broadcast of television network, and that concerned agencies are now fixing the problem. He added that normal broadcasts are expected to resume soon.

The blackout sparked alarm and concern among the public over a possible coup amid reports of troop mobilization. Mr.Ongart, however, said the premier was assured by the army that there is nothing unusual going on.

Later in the afternoon, Thaicom Public Company Limited issued a statement confirming a technical glitch on Thaicom 5, but denied that the satellite had left its orbit. The company said that repairs are now underway.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-04-22

[ToffeEFCpower]

There is absolutely no advantage to be gained by having a coup yesterday. Paranoia has well and truly grasped Thailand. "Boo"

[newermonkey]

"Permanent secretary Jirawan Boonperm said the problem would not have happened if Thaicom 5 had a back-up satellite."

Can Ms. Jirawan or any one else, explain to me how her very novel and unique backup system would work? she must statistically speaking be the only person to think of this wonderful idea "Genius?"

As far as I know (but I am not a scientist) there could be a backup, but it would only work if every single user had a second responder and a special box that can switch automagically to the best signal, As far as I know no country in the world does this as it would more than double the cost. (perhaps the military use dual satellite systems as part of their redundancy and contingency planning, but I wouldn't know about that would I)

I thought that two satellites cannot take up the same geostationary location, but there again perhaps I am the idiot and technology is just some kind of magic that only some special higher beings know about?

[1219patrickm]

Maybe Thaicom 5 did not pay their comcast bill.

[Phil Conners]

The way the Internet is growing and taking over from TV I'm surprised they would invest it another satellite. Satellites are too slow (due to the distance) and too delicate for practical use with the Internet. TV signals worldwide and in Thailand are moving towards Internet distribution. Would be better to spend the billions it cost to put a satellite in orbit on improving the Internet infrastructure.

[ib1b4]

Taharn tot long

[BlueSmurf]

The way the Internet is growing and taking over from TV I'm surprised they would invest it another satellite. Satellites are too slow (due to the distance) and too delicate for practical use with the Internet. TV signals worldwide and in Thailand are moving towards Internet distribution. Would be better to spend the billions it cost to put a satellite in orbit on improving the Internet infrastructure.

Spot on...

[geriatrickid]

Thailand: Hub of coup rumours.

Sort of sad that they even have to say no coup over insignificant events.

[Payboy]

Guess they couldnt find the CD with the mandatory slide and theme music, so they had to call it off.

[Screws]

Where's me Al Jazheera?

Disappeared yesterday, still not back up -

[AleG]

The way the Internet is growing and taking over from TV I'm surprised they would invest it another satellite. Satellites are too slow (due to the distance) and too delicate for practical use with the Internet. TV signals worldwide and in Thailand are moving towards Internet distribution. Would be better to spend the billions it cost to put a satellite in orbit on improving the Internet infrastructure.

You are making too much sense, now go to the corner and hang your head in shame.

On a more serious note, the advantage of satellites is that they need minimal ground infrastructure, so no matter how isolated a place, all they need is pitch up an antenna and be done with it.

[Payboy]

The way the Internet is growing and taking over from TV I'm surprised they would invest it another satellite. Satellites are too slow (due to the distance) and too delicate for practical use with the Internet. TV signals worldwide and in Thailand are moving towards Internet distribution. Would be better to spend the billions it cost to put a satellite in orbit on improving the Internet infrastructure.

Hey, don' t diss the satellite - we need it for 3G.

[animatic]

To put this in another perspective.

Transfer of Traffic Thaicom 5 Satellite

From Russia Today http://www.rttv.ru/

Shin Satellite Public Company Limited (Shinsat) informed that THAICOM-5 was successfully launched into orbit on May 27, 2006. THAICOM-5 is located at 78.5 degrees east to replace THAICOM-3.

Shinsat completed all necessary satellite testing for commercial use on THAICOM-5.

We would like to inform you the date and time for traffic to transfer transmission from Thaicom-3 to Thaicom-5. The following details below:

Thaicom-3 transponder 6G

Date: July 12 2006

Time: 18:58 – 19:03 GMT

The satellite parameters for reception Russia Today channel from Thaicom-5 will remain the same as Thaicom-3.

In order to avoid any problems and make the transfer smoothly and efficiently, we will need to stop the transmission for 3 minutes with full cooperation of Shinsat, during the above date and time the channel will be interrupted.

......ไทยคม 5 จะเริ่มถ่ายโอนช่องสัญญาณจากไทยคม 3 ตั้งแต่วันที่ 12 กรกฎาคม 2549 เริ่มที่ช่องรัซเซียทูเดย์ ความถี่ 3640H 28066SR ครับ

Let us not discount that the company that installed the Thaicom software and financed the launch and set up of Thacom 5 in 2006, was the the JUST recently sold Shinsat, owned by Thaksin until a few months previous.

I do NOT assume that Temasek suddenly analysed

every snipet of code for backdoors and other access points by Shinsat techs.

Thaksin, known for micromanagement and total control, can NOT be ruled out as having had a back door access installed and left for his use. Especially considering he was under pressure at that time. Not as much as he would be POST Temasek sale, but control freaks think to use all their assets, and Thaksin would see the satellite as a way to control information..

If that could be used to cause a 'technical glitch' occasionally, that might serve his political interests is a given. All it takes is an up-link and knowledge of the frequencies and satellite placement. Yes passwords can be changed, but a back door is just that, a way around the typical security known only to a few.

Seems just having a glitch at 6pm is enough to totally upset the country....

Imagine what a faux transmission of 'military looking committee purporting to be a New Junta' would do, if that went out on the air 'announcing a coup that didn't exist', as false flag reason to have red shirts rising up 'to fight against the coup'.

Coup what coup,

oh the ones those guys on TV said they were doing...

Edited April 22, 2011 by animatic

[animatic]

Guess they couldnt find the CD with the mandatory slide and theme music, so they had to call it off.

LOL good one!

[rreddin]

The way the Internet is growing and taking over from TV I'm surprised they would invest it another satellite. Satellites are too slow (due to the distance) and too delicate for practical use with the Internet. TV signals worldwide and in Thailand are moving towards Internet distribution. Would be better to spend the billions it cost to put a satellite in orbit on improving the Internet infrastructure.

Maybe in an urbaized area, but it is not going to happen out here in the sticks. Almost every house has a TV, very few have Internet and what is currently available is slow. CAT telecom say they have 10 customers in the village 9 of which are paid for by farangs and a small internet cafe that uses a satellite connection - again farang funded. Besides, too many vested interests who want to keep their fingers in the pie.

Interesting reaction from the villagers to the satellite going off air. Not one person believed the technical fault story. Government supporters are as rare as hens teeth round here.

Edited April 22, 2011 by rreddin

[Tanlic]

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva denied rumours of a coup

Yeah started by the reporter who asked the question in hope

Probably started by another money grabbing freelancers with no facts to back it up, just stirring things up to make a dollar

[rreddin]

To put this in another perspective.

Transfer of Traffic Thaicom 5 Satellite

From Russia Today http://www.rttv.ru/

Shin Satellite Public Company Limited (Shinsat) informed that THAICOM-5 was successfully launched into orbit on May 27, 2006. THAICOM-5 is located at 78.5 degrees east to replace THAICOM-3.

Shinsat completed all necessary satellite testing for commercial use on THAICOM-5.

We would like to inform you the date and time for traffic to transfer transmission from Thaicom-3 to Thaicom-5. The following details below:

Thaicom-3 transponder 6G

Date: July 12 2006

Time: 18:58 – 19:03 GMT

The satellite parameters for reception Russia Today channel from Thaicom-5 will remain the same as Thaicom-3.

In order to avoid any problems and make the transfer smoothly and efficiently, we will need to stop the transmission for 3 minutes with full cooperation of Shinsat, during the above date and time the channel will be interrupted.

......ไทยคม 5 จะเริ่มถ่ายโอนช่องสัญญาณจากไทยคม 3 ตั้งแต่วันที่ 12 กรกฎาคม 2549 เริ่มที่ช่องรัซเซียทูเดย์ ความถี่ 3640H 28066SR ครับ

Let us not discount that the company that installed the Thaicom software

and financed the launch and set up of Thacom 5 in 2006, was the the JUST recently sold Shinsat, owned by Thaksin until a few months previous. I do NOT assume that Temasek suddenly analysed

every snipet of code for backdoors and other access points by Shinsat techs.

Thaksin known for micromanagement and total control, can NOT be ruled out as having a back door access installed and left for his use. If that could be used to cause a 'technical glitch' occasionally, that might serve his political interests is a given. All it takes is an up-l;ink and knowledge of the frequencies and placement. Yes passwords can be changed, but a back door is just that, a way around the typical security known only to a few.

A communication satellite suffers a rare technical fault. Because untill a few months before it was launched, a certain Mr T controlled the company that installed the software and financed the launch, the technical failure was a deliberate act by Thaksin to further his political aims? Nonsense!

[animatic]

The way the Internet is growing and taking over from TV I'm surprised they would invest it another satellite. Satellites are too slow (due to the distance) and too delicate for practical use with the Internet. TV signals worldwide and in Thailand are moving towards Internet distribution. Would be better to spend the billions it cost to put a satellite in orbit on improving the Internet infrastructure.

Maybe in an urbaized area, but it is not going to happen out here in the sticks. Almost every house has a TV, very few have Internet and what is currently available is slow. CAT telecom say they have 10 customers in the village 9 of which are paid for by farangs and a small internet cafe that uses a satellite connection - again farang funded. Besides, too many vested interests who want to keep their fingers in the pie.

Interesting reaction from the villagers to the satellite going off air. Not one person believed the technical fault story. Government supporters are as rare as hens teeth round here.

Which easily explains why I suspect Thaksin via a Shinsat backdoor.

He would/could easily use this to attack the government up there with a simple 'glitch'. Hand in hand with the JUST shouted out Red Shirts' Whistle blowing about a coup'.It is just too convenient a fit in timing, and effect. The effect clearly noted rredin post.

Edited April 22, 2011 by animatic

[garyinthailand]

It was a dry run. When we really do have a coup, no one will react.

[animatic]

To put this in another perspective.

Transfer of Traffic Thaicom 5 Satellite

From Russia Today http://www.rttv.ru/

Shin Satellite Public Company Limited (Shinsat) informed that THAICOM-5 was successfully launched into orbit on May 27, 2006. THAICOM-5 is located at 78.5 degrees east to replace THAICOM-3.

Shinsat completed all necessary satellite testing for commercial use on THAICOM-5.

We would like to inform you the date and time for traffic to transfer transmission from Thaicom-3 to Thaicom-5. The following details below:

Thaicom-3 transponder 6G

Date: July 12 2006

Time: 18:58 – 19:03 GMT

The satellite parameters for reception Russia Today channel from Thaicom-5 will remain the same as Thaicom-3.

In order to avoid any problems and make the transfer smoothly and efficiently, we will need to stop the transmission for 3 minutes with full cooperation of Shinsat, during the above date and time the channel will be interrupted.

......ไทยคม 5 จะเริ่มถ่ายโอนช่องสัญญาณจากไทยคม 3 ตั้งแต่วันที่ 12 กรกฎาคม 2549 เริ่มที่ช่องรัซเซียทูเดย์ ความถี่ 3640H 28066SR ครับ

Let us not discount that the company that installed the Thaicom software

and financed the launch and set up of Thacom 5 in 2006, was the the JUST recently sold Shinsat, owned by Thaksin until a few months previous. I do NOT assume that Temasek suddenly analysed

every snipet of code for backdoors and other access points by Shinsat techs.

Thaksin known for micromanagement and total control, can NOT be ruled out as having a back door access installed and left for his use. If that could be used to cause a 'technical glitch' occasionally, that might serve his political interests is a given. All it takes is an up-l;ink and knowledge of the frequencies and placement. Yes passwords can be changed, but a back door is just that, a way around the typical security known only to a few.

A communication satellite suffers a rare technical fault. Because untill a few months before it was launched, a certain Mr T controlled the company that installed the software and financed the launch, the technical failure was a deliberate act by Thaksin to further his political aims? Nonsense!

Sorry, but you don't seem to understand the technical aspects of how this could easily be done.

The political reasons are obvious, you pretty much laid them out yourself.

http://www.nationmul...s-30101204.html

"...A source from the Shin group said Dumrong's resignation could stem from the different working attitudes of Thaicom's management and Temasek....

Dumrong, who has worked for nearly 18 years in the Shin group.... Dumrong denied he had resigned because of recent events concerning D Station, which is a Thaicom customer. The TV station was recently shut down by the government, which claimed it had aired content that instigated the Songkran rioting."...

Maybe not so rare. ---------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.nationmul...ss_30015207.php

Dumrong said Thaicom 5 was unlikely to suffer a similar technical glitch, although it was manufactured by the same company, given that Thaicom 5 was built with more advanced technology....

...ShinSat is 41.34-per-cent owned by Shin Corp, which was founded by ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra....

...The satellite operator has worked under a concession of the Information and Communications Technology Ministry. Excluding Thaicom 3, it currently operates Thaicom 1, Thaicom 2, the broadband satellite iPSTAR, and Thaicom 5....

Edited April 22, 2011 by animatic

[exbelg]

and i tought my trees where in the way of the sattelite dish so i start cutting and cutting, can I ask for damages

[tragickingdom]

The explanations of the occurrences the las few days do not make sense. According press agency AP the signal went down depending on the areas from a few minutes to many hours. If the Thaicom 5 satellite was down it would have been down the same time everywhere. The places where it went down a few minutes where those in foreign countries, that could not be inconvenienced too much to ares loyal to the government.<div><br></div><div>Add the military exercises to the mess in which tank brigades that are always first to rape democracy were telling in how many minutes or hours they wee ready to defend the monarchy and add the polls to the mix which make painfully clear PeuaThai is going to win the elections easily  as well as the military that are unhappy with PeuaThai and we al know what democracy rapist Pra-Ocha is planning. </div><div><br></div><div>Funny enough the monarchy is always used as a pretext by people who want to abuse it to stay in power locking up 18 red shirt leaders and keeping Prem from being harassed in the same manner will prove a blessing for the red shirts. Protests seen last year will be dwarfed by new ones no matter how hard Suthep will make it look like the red shirts burned down numerous buildings.</div>

[geriatrickid]

I was unaware that in addition to be a diabolical political fiend he was also a an IT and satellite communications engineer.

Are we dealing with Mr. Thaksin or Dr. No????

This is becoming quite the cloak and dagger event. Does this satellite come with a death ray too?

I'm sure Thai Visa's enterprising sleuths will get to the bottom of this case, just as soon as they consult with Hardy Boy super detective reference texts.

[Payboy]

and i tought my trees where in the way of the sattelite dish so i start cutting and cutting, can I ask for damages

You'd better, because it was probably just a flock of geese flying too close to Thaicom 5.

[asiawatcher]

Guess they couldnt find the CD with the mandatory slide and theme music, so they had to call it off.

More like they were using pirated software.

[antsrule]

Yes, losing a sattelite is very unusual,......up until now. I see on the internet that over the next 2 years we will be hit by several mega blasts of sattelite destroying ionized plasma from the sun caused by an immense surge in magnetic storms. As we speak, Venus is have one of it's biggest recorded storms ever at it's north pole. Is there a connection? Is there a gigantic increase in the amount of energy coming from the sun? Check it out yourself. Apparently, we have already been hit by the biggest blast in several years and a much larger blast glanced off our magnetic field. On the positve side, the northern (and southern) lights are fantastic in some places, unfortunately not in Thailand.

The maximum will occur from now until late 2012.

The good new is that most of the blasts will miss us, many low orbit satellites will be protected by the dark side of the earth and we will have a couple of hours warning. Furthermore, the earths' magnetic field will protect the surface of the earth from destruction by these blasts.

The bad news is there is the remote possibility of some really poor timing and the earths' magnetic field reverses at the wrong moment and 1/2 the world gets fried. God would really need to be annoyed with us. Think of it, a 4 billion year, really expensive experiment trashed in a flash. Nothing left but ants cleaning up.

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2006/10mar_stormwarning/

[anterian]

Might be a simple explanation, I noticed chief executive officer Arak Cholatanont said at an urgent press conference that the satellite experienced an "electrostatic discharge" problem.

This is often caused by energetic solar flares, Emerging sunspot complex 1195-1196 is crackling with C-flares, but the really big ones are all expected next year.

If you want more info see here http://spaceweather.com/