Thailand - Current situation - History
06.09.2023
In September 2023, it was reported that the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is planning a transition of existing analogue radio stations to the digital audio broadcasting (DAB) system under its planned licensing regime. The plan is meant to improve the industry's service standards and help all stakeholders handle digital disruption, according to the telecom regulator. The shift also includes the 3,900 community radio stations that were permitted by the NBTC to operate on a trial basis. The NBTC aims to finish the DAB licensing method and principles by the middle of next year, and is planning to start the shift to the DAB system in early 2025. The NBTC panel drafting the DAB licensing regime has already concluded all the licensing details.
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission of Thailand (NBTC) in conjunction with the Royal Thai Army Radio and Television have been running a high power DAB+ trial in the Thai capital of Bangkok since 2018.
A second project has been established to test DAB+ in four major regional areas, Chon Buri south of Bangkok, Chiang Mai in the north, Khon Kaen in the northeast, and Song Khla in the south of Thailand. The regional trials are an extension of the Bangkok trial and focus on determining the suitable technical standard and parameters for the regional areas.
30.05.2023
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission of Thailand (NBTC) in conjunction with the Royal Thai Army Radio and Television have been running a high power DAB+ trial in the Thai capital of Bangkok since 2018.
A second project has been established to test DAB+ in four major regional areas, Chon Buri south of Bangkok, Chiang Mai in the north, Khon Kaen in the northeast, and Song Khla in the south of Thailand. The regional trials are an extension of the Bangkok trial and focus on determining the suitable technical standard and parameters for the regional areas.
24.01.2022
The expansion of the DAB+ trial in Bangkok Thailand was announced at the WorldDAB Technical Group meeting on the 9th of December 2021. The Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission of Thailand is set to coordinate the construction of 10 new transmission sites which include both National and Local DAB+ layers.
The expansion includes the areas and cites of Chang Mai in the north, Khonkaen and Nakhon Ratchasima in the north east, Pattaya and Chonburi adjacent to Bangkok, and Songkhla, Nakhon Thammarat and the tourist centre of Phuket in the south.
Earlier in 2021, in cooperation with the Royal Thai Army, the second DAB+ digital radio trial was launched in the Bangkok metropolitan area and its vicinity, as well as in major cities in other regions.
Along with the initial objectives; discovering appropriate network parameters in different environments; demonstrating interference-free audio; and introducing new DAB+ data services such as slideshows, data communication, emergency warning system (EWS), electronic program guide (EPG), and pop-up services; the aim of the current trial is to understand the obstacles and barriers that were found in the first trial. Especially concerning the diverse geographic features and urban development in Bangkok and regional areas, the trial must be deliberately continuously taken place in further achieving the most beneficial coverage and quality.