EURO 2012: PM Yingluck's Office Minister Mulls Legal Actions

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EURO 2012

PM's Office Minister mulls legal actions

Praphan Jindalert-udomdee

Nation News Network

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister's Office Minister Worawat Ua-apinyakul threatened criminal and civil actions against parties which deprived consumers of their rights, concerning the broadcasting of Euro 2012.

All involved parties are summoned for a meeting at the Government House tomorrow at 3pm, which will be participated by the Department of Special Investigation.

"Should we need to take any action (as the issue could not be settled), this will be handled as a special economic case," he told reporters, after the testimonies of all parties involved to the House Committee on Broadcasting and Telecommunications.

Aside from Worawat who oversees the Consumer Protection Board, representatives of National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, TrueVisions, GMM Z - the subsidiary of broadcasting rights holder GMM Grammy, and the satellite TV association were present at the Parliament Building. This session followed Uefa’s refusal to GMM’s request to "sub-license" the broadcasting rights to TrueVisions, of which network covers 1.8 million households. Uefa cited that TrueVisions should not get the rights as it is a pay TV network.

Though the tournament can be watched mainly through terrestrial analog system (through antennas) and GMM’s set-top boxes, GMM Z has insisted that it has done everything under its capacity to pass the signal to all consumers. TrueVisions also noted that it was ready for any suggestions, adding that helping broadcast signal from free TV channels has nothing to do with its status as a pay TV network or not.

During the session, Democrat MP Sirichok Sopha also pressed GMM for the contract with Uefa. The request was denied, as GMM said that such demands Uefa’s approval. There was a speculation that both GMM and TrueVisions collaborated in this regard, as GMM’s set-top boxes are available in 7-Eleven stores which are operated by a sister company of TrueVisions.

Worawat noted that a number of consumers pressed for actions, saying that the government is ready to inform Uefa in writing how this matter affects Thai consumers.

-- The Nation 2012-06-14

[Thai at Heart]

Have you ever seen such a circus over a soccer match, that if you want to watch, all you have to do is stuff a coat hanger in the back of your TV.

Of all the issues in the country.......

[Moruya]

The government has to be seen to try and do something for the people. All the thousands of man-hours that have been wasted on saving Thaksin's bacon can be conveniently forgotton.

[whybother]

Prime Minister's Office Minister Worawat Ua-apinyakul threatened criminal and civil actions against parties which deprived consumers of their rights, concerning the broadcasting of Euro 2012.

Thai Constitution: Article 463 Part A: The Thai people have the right to watch football.

[gl555]

Fix the crap in your office and your party first before wasting time over a small thing like this. Idiots.

[h90]

it is only a game

[BrianCR]

Only a 'Game"? - You'll be saying Jesus is only a God next!!!!

[bigbamboo]

Only a 'Game"? - You'll be saying Jesus is only a God next!!!!

Jesus wasn't a god. He was a prophet.

[crazykopite]

Does this mean that we true visions customers will be able to watch the quarter finals somehow I doubt it. This has become a total circus and I feel more is to follow with the EPL's next bidding war having just been awarded to Sky and BT. ESPN are out the door at the end of next season

[Moruya]

Only a 'Game"? - You'll be saying Jesus is only a God next!!!!

Jesus wasn't a god. He was a prophet.

And there's nothing higher in Thailand than a profit

[lungmi]

I saw the games on a Vietnamese channel.

We will have Vietnamese rice soon....

[phl]

what does government or PM have to do with commercial decision making in public/private companies.?

Since when watching football became life threatening? to be renamed to deprivied

[Sharp]

Have you ever seen such a circus over a soccer match, that if you want to watch, all you have to do is stuff a coat hanger in the back of your TV.

Of all the issues in the country.......

Agreed I brought the box 2k come really if it means that much buy the dam box this is Thailand remember everything is a mission here

[LuckyLew]

Who cares at this point

I can watch the games, everyone else can go stuff themselves

[pipo1000]

Only a 'Game"? - You'll be saying Jesus is only a God next!!!!

Jesus wasn't a god. He was a prophet.

Hmm, I always tought he was a door to door hawker.

[Skywalker69]

Only a 'Game"? - You'll be saying Jesus is only a God next!!!!

Jesus wasn't a god. He was a prophet.

Yea but he walked on water.

[moe666]

Disconnect the cable hook up an antena and watch the frigging games.

[nurofiend]

The government has to be seen to try and do something for the people. All the thousands of man-hours that have been wasted on saving Thaksin's bacon can be conveniently forgotton.

yeah cos this is gonna make people forget about thaksin isn't it

some people are never happy

[rubl]

Prime Minister's Office Minister Worawat Ua-apinyakul threatened criminal and civil actions against parties which deprived consumers of their rights, concerning the broadcasting of Euro 2012.

Thai Constitution: Article 463 Part A: The Thai people have the right to watch football.

Ah, the right to watch. No problem, no one is trying to take that (almost universal) right away. It just happens so that there is nothing to watch for some.

BTW I watched channel3 on Wednesday night using a single coathanger, but migth improve things by adding a second one. Will keep you informed