More Thai TV channels permitted to resume broadcast

BANGKOK, May 24 (TNA) - The National Peace and Order Maintaining Council (NPOMC) on Saturday allowed 23 digital TV channels to resume their normal broadcast, three days after the army seized control of the caretaker government and banned all analog, digital and satellite TV stations from broadcasting their programmes. The NPOMC summoned operators of the TV channels for a meeting to inform them about its permission today. The meeting was jointly chaired by Major General Suchart Pongput, deputy chief of the Royal Thai Army’s Signal Department and Thakorn Tanthasit, Secretary-General of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC). Thakorn confirmed that six analog free TV stations and the 23 digital TV channels can now broadcast their normal programmes via satellite and cable networks. But satellite TV stations and 15 other TV channels are to still have to remain off the air, he said. The six analog free TV stations, namely Channels 3,5,7,9, 11 and Thai PBS, were permitted to resume their normal programmes on Friday. Meanwhile, Major General Suchart said he has told the operators of the TV channels not to broadcast content that can affect the overall national security and operations of the NPOMC. He said he has also asked them to temporarily stop live interview and stop presenting public opinions on running news texts. (TNA)