Pirongrong sent an open letter NBTC explaining progress on the third edition of the Master Plan for Television Operations and the 2029 Digital TV Roadmap, revealing the agenda has been pending for over two months amid demands from the private sector
Recently, Professor Dr. Pirongrong Ramsut of the NBTC's Television Operations department released an open letter clarifying the facts regarding the operational steps and obstacles within the NBTC board to ensure transparency to the public
Regarding a key issue of great interest to the media industry—preparations before the digital TV license expires in April 2029—Dr. Pirongrong confirmed that scenario studies were completed in 2024 in collaboration with advisory teams from Europe and Thailand
However, before the scenario study results could be approved by the NBTC meeting for use in drafting the Roadmap, the NBTC office team had to work intensively, passing various stages such as the workshop held on 23 December 2024 between the NBTC and its executives to set directions for broadcasting, television, and related activities. Then, on 28 May 2025, the NBTC board resolved to assign the NBTC office to prepare additional scenario data and present it again to the board within 60 days. Finally, on 11 September 2025, the NBTC board acknowledged the future scenarios for Thailand's television industry, regulatory approaches, and promotion of television operations as proposed by the NBTC office. They also tasked the office to use the timeline and operational guidelines under current laws to conduct public hearings and gather observations to assist in drafting the (draft) Roadmap for Television and Broadcasting Operations of Thailand. This was to prepare for the expiration of digital terrestrial TV licenses in April 2029. Two Focus Group sessions were held on 14 October and 3 November 2025 before compiling the results into the agenda for the (draft) Roadmap on Television and Broadcasting Operations of Thailand, to prepare for the upcoming license expiration. The agenda was first included in the NBTC's 37/2568 meeting on 9 December 2025.
On 14 January 2026, at the NBTC's 2/2569 meeting, the (draft) Roadmap for Television and Broadcasting Operations of Thailand was considered. The meeting resolved to assign the NBTC office to organize the information by categorizing issues within the (draft) Roadmap for Television and Broadcasting Operations of Thailand (2026–2030) according to the meeting's suggestions and present it again for further NBTC consideration.
From 14 January until today, 25 May, this agenda has shared the same fate as the Master Plan agenda, being continuously listed alongside it and following the draft NBTC announcement on the third Master Plan for Broadcasting and Television Operations (2026–2030).
Key points of the plan
The draft third Master Plan for Broadcasting and Television Operations (2026–2030) by the NBTC focuses on fully transitioning to the digital era and protecting consumers in the modern world. A brief summary is as follows:
1. Vision and main goals
Vision: To build a sustainable, efficient, and equitable communication ecosystem that drives Thailand’s digital economy and society.
Goals: To enhance citizens’ quality of life through accessible broadcasting and television services with quality, safe content, considering national security and cultural diversity.
2. Key strategies
This draft Master Plan advances through four main strategic areas:
1. Digital Transformation Strategy: Promotes technological transition to support multi-platform viewing—both terrestrial and online—and supports traditional TV operators to compete and survive amid growing online viewership.
2. Consumer Protection and Equality Strategy: Enhances consumer protection from inappropriate content to combating misinformation, disinformation, harmful content, online scams, and data privacy violations, while promoting access for vulnerable groups and persons with disabilities.
3. Proactive Regulation Strategy: Improves regulatory processes to be flexible, not hindering innovation or platform economy growth, balancing content regulation with freedom of expression.
4. Creative Economy Promotion Strategy: Drives broadcasting and television to be key in promoting Thailand’s Soft Power globally by supporting industry personnel development aligned with modern technologies.
3. Special focus areas include:
• OTT (Over-The-Top) regulation: Emphasizes regulation of digital platforms providing audio-visual services to ensure fair competition with traditional platform operators.
• Building stable and accessible broadcasting and television infrastructure for the public.
• Promoting quality content through supporting programs that foster learning, digital skills, good social values, and trustworthy media.
In summary, this Master Plan represents a shift from traditional regulation focused on mainstream media to becoming a “digital media ecosystem supporter,” emphasizing safety, reliable quality, fair competition, public accessibility, and leveraging media for economic value as a creative industry.
Regarding the Roadmap for Television and Broadcasting Operations of Thailand, sample issues to consider for the 2029 roadmap include the following topics (see accompanying illustration):
• Frequency allocation for broadcasting and telecommunications operations
• Network/MUX
• Number and types of channels
• Methods of license acquisition (auction or not)
• Relevant rules and regulations (need to amend some provisions or not)
• Regulatory criteria and oversight
• Technology promotion and expanding viewing platforms
• Must Carry/Must Have rules
• Implementation of rating systems
All these issues require clear, prompt, and careful study and framework development to ensure business continuity, industry investment, employment, and readiness of related sectors. Furthermore, the NBTC must recognize technological and platform transitions leading to a new media ecosystem that, despite its diversity, must maintain quality, trustworthiness, and societal anchoring amid widespread disinformation. Moreover, the NBTC should strive to preserve public space in television media and ensure free-to-air TV remains a primary channel for broad public access to news and information, acting as an information safety net especially for those lacking internet access and disadvantaged groups in society.
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