Text of report in English by Thai newspaper Bangkok Post website on 19 January
[Unattributed Report: "More scrutiny for Thaicom transmissions"]
The Information and Communications Technology Ministry will tighten regulations to bring Shin Satellite’s Thaicom transmissions under stricter legal controls after the satellite’s recent transmission of programmes from Lebanon’s Al-Manar TV, allegedly backed by Hezbollah, drew criticism and complaints.
ICT permanent secretary Sue Lor-uthai said Shin Satellite, Thaicom’s owner, had made test transmissions for al-Manar TV on Jan 9 and 10 before pulling the plug on Jan 11 after learning that the channel had been blacklisted by the United States for channelling funds to the group to support its terrorist activities.
Mr Sue said no transmission lease contract has been signed with the Lebanese TV channel and admitted Shin Satellite had been careless in inspecting the background of its potential customer.
He said the ICT would re-check the terms of the contract and see whether there were any discrepancies before seeking any action against Shin Satellite.
But the ICT would go ahead with its plan to tighten the criteria for leasing the satellite transmission time.
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said any possible penalty against Shin Satellite would depend on the ICT’s decision over legal action.
(Source: Bangkok Post website, Bangkok, in English 19 Jan 08 via BBC Monitoring)
Related stories:
- Thai satellite company terminates broadcasts of Lebanese channel al-Manar TV
- Thai PM: Government ‘in dark’ on Thaicom-Hezbollah-backed TV link
- Lebanon/Thailand: Hezbollah TV broadcasting via Thai satellite
