The broadcasting committee of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) agreed to issue written notices to Bangkok Media and Broadcasting, the operator of PPTV; GMM Grammy, the operator of One 31 and GMM 25; Triple V Broadcast, the operator of Thairath TV; and Bright Television, the operator of the Bright TV news channel. The amount owing totals Bt2.388 billion plus 7.5 per cent interest per annum.

The five broadcasters said on May 23 that they were withholding payment pending the final ruling by the Central Administrative Court on a suit they filed against the NBTC last August for Bt9.55 billion in damages over the regulator’s alleged negligence in marshalling the transition from analog to digital TV. However, the court has still not made a ruling.

Pakdee Manaves, the NBTC’s deputy secretary-general, said the five broadcasters must make their payments within 30 days after receiving the written notices.