Thailand's digital TV auction revenue goes to NBTC fund

BANGKOK, January 4 (TNA) - Proceeds received from recent auctions of digital television licences, amounting 50.86 billion baht totally, will be handed to the NBTC Fund. Thakorn Tantasith, Secretary-General of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), told journalists of the plan, acknowledging that the money was received during the auctions organised by the NBTC from December 27-28, 2013. Thakorn said that the NBTC working committee has already drafted a report on the results of the two-day digital TV auctions to be submitted to the NBTC board at its next meeting in Bangkok on January 6. Thakorn explained that the proceeds from the digital TV auctions are to be handed over to the NBTC Fund for public benefits as required by laws and they are not considered as an NBTC revenue. According to the NBTC chief, the NBTC Fund committee is comprised of representatives from several government agencies, including the Permanent Secretary for the Prime Minister’s Office, the Secretary-General of the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board, the Director-General of the Comptroller General’s Department and one each from the Thai broadcasting and television sectors.(TNA)