Bangkok:The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has launched a forum to assess Thailand's preparedness for adopting the Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB+) radio system. The initiative seeks to balance market demand with public benefit.
According to Thai News Agency, Police Major General Ekthanat Limsangkas, who chairs the Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Committee, led the meeting. The discussion centered on evaluating policies and the digital broadcasting ecosystem, focusing on market sustainability, public service, and digital transformation. Stakeholders exchanged ideas to guide future national broadcasting policies.
Attendees included Air Vice Marshal Dr. Thanaphan Hraicharoen from the NBTC, Mr. Sutont Klaakarnkhai from the Senate Committee on Information Technology, and over 70 industry professionals. The event, held at the Best Western Hotel in Chatuchak, Bangkok, aimed to monitor and evaluate key NBTC broadcasting policies for 2026.
Ekthanat emphasized the need for a thorough examination of readiness for the DAB+ transition, considering factors like infrastructure, investment, and public accessibility. He advocated for data-driven policy-making rather than relying on assumptions about the best technological solutions.
The assessment focuses on market sustainability, public benefit, and future readiness, particularly the potential of digital radio as an emergency communication channel. The goal is not just to decide on adopting DAB+ but to evaluate readiness, identify limitations, and develop the system for maximum benefit.
Feedback from stakeholders is essential to gather comprehensive insights from those involved in broadcasting. This ecosystem-based evaluation approach considers market, technology, governance, and public responsibility to ensure the assessment addresses impacts, feasibility, and public benefits.
The insights from the meeting will inform policy proposals aimed at developing Thailand's broadcasting industry, enabling it to adapt to technological changes while ensuring economic sustainability and safeguarding the public interest.