Lackadaisical NBTC under fire as Thai digital TV reaches breaking point

15 Sept 00:46 Key points summarised by AI

Thai digital TV stakeholders accuse the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) of dereliction of duty for delaying a crucial master plan and roadmap concerning license expiry in 2029, threatening industry collapse and mass layoffs.
An NBTC commissioner revealed internal gatekeeping by the chairman, repeatedly deferring the essential plan from meeting agendas despite urgent appeals, highlighting systemic operational issues within the regulator.
Critics point to the NBTC's poor regulatory track record, including inaction during a major telecom merger, and structural flaws like 'state capture' influencing commissioner selection, which undermine public interest.
Local media operators are struggling against unfair competition from global internet platforms and demand NBTC action to regulate Over-the-Top (OTT) services, similar to European models, to level the playing field.
A university study warns of a 'slow collapse' for the Thai TV industry by 2029, citing continuous revenue decline, content quality degradation, and the disappearance of informative programs, exacerbated by social media's influence.

Examining Thailand’s four-part education revolution

Today 14:22 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Education Ministry is implementing a four-pronged strategy to address its students' below-average performance in PISA 2025 and tackle significant educational inequality.
The plan prioritizes closing performance gaps by increasing funding for small and low-income schools, overhauling the curriculum to foster critical thinking, and adopting a data-driven management system to reduce teacher workload.
Key initiatives include enhancing school safety, combating cyberbullying, and expanding mental health support through peer-to-peer networks, recognizing the severe impact of distress on academic performance.
An education expert advises verifying if PISA improvements stem from structural changes, advocating for a revived STEM curriculum with practical 'learn by doing' methods, and urging bureaucratic reform to link teacher evaluations to student development.