TDRI opposes the use of Section 44 to solve problem in digital TVs

BANGKOK: Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) has voiced its disagreement with a proposal of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) for the invocation of Section 44 of the interim charter to settle the problem of digital TV stations.

NBTC’s working committee which also comprises digital TV operators wants the National Council for Peace and Order to exercise the special powers vested by Section 44 to allow successful bidders of digital TV licenses to postpone the payment of the third instalments totaling 8 billion baht, to extend the operating period and to exempt the successful bidders from paying the remaining auction fees if they agree to exit from the business.

TDRI president Somkiat Tangkitvanich said there are other options for the troubled operators to choose without the need of Section 44. For instance, he said one of the options is to amend the law to allow new operators to take over their licenses.

He said the regulator must realize that there is risk in the media business and the use of Section to deal with all problems will cause uncertainty in media business. The law amendment option will help facilitate the change of license holder from the old operators who want to quit and new players who want in, he added.

Ms Supinya Klangnarong, one of the broadcasting commissioners, said she agreed with the law amendment option but cautioned that the amendment should not result to the old operators selling their licenses to the new players.

She pointed out that the NBTC has already allowed takeovers of troubled operators within the auction rules. The sale of licenses can only be done by means of staging new auctions, she insisted.

Meanwhile, Mr Vichit Uah-areeworakul, managing director of Charoen Cable TV Company, urged the NBTC to help cable TV operators as well but slashing or exempting the annual fees.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/152612

-- Thai PBS 2016-02-27

If you tried this with an ebay auction I suspect your membership would be revoked.

Meanwhile, Mr Vichit Uah-areeworakul, managing director of Charoen Cable TV Company, urged the NBTC to help cable TV operators as well but slashing or exempting the annual fees.

Yes, yes, make the license free although I knowingly bid and bought (but haven't paid) for the license said the cable TV operator....make me happy.

Does one get the feeling that the Prayut government has become overly reliant on Article 44 to solve problems?

Don't understand a problem, don't consider legal implications, don't resolve with legislation - just flash 44.

Yet the regime believes it has the expertise to write a democratic constitution (21 charters to date) that doesn't allow absolute powers in an elected government. But maybe there's a Plan B for the military to retain absolute power despite an elected government.