Air Marshal Thanapant Raicharoen, NBTC Commissioner for Broadcasting, said this auction marks a historic moment. It is the first time over 3,000 local radio stations will be able to operate under an official licence, ending a 20-year wait for regulatory oversight. The radio broadcasting sector is now following the satellite sector into official licensing.
Furthermore, this auction marks Thailand’s first Super Multi Bands nationwide online auction for radio frequencies, conducted simultaneously for 1,993 frequencies across the country. The process was smooth, with no technical issues or objections, ensuring transparency. The competition was intense, particularly in high-demand areas.
While the revenue from this auction is lower than telecommunications auctions, it is a significant step as the government has never previously received income from local radio frequencies, aside from small fees for trial broadcasts. This marks the first time the state has earned revenue from the radio sector.
About the Author
