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Thailand

Last update: 06.09.2023 - older versions

In September 2023, it was reported that the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is planning a transition of existing analogue radio stations to the digital audio broadcasting (DAB) system under its planned licensing regime. The plan is meant to improve the industry's service standards and help all stakeholders handle digital disruption, according to the telecom regulator. The shift also includes the 3,900 community radio stations that were permitted by the NBTC to operate on a trial basis. The NBTC aims to finish the DAB licensing method and principles by the middle of next year, and is planning to start the shift to the DAB system in early 2025. The NBTC panel drafting the DAB licensing regime has already concluded all the licensing details.

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission of Thailand (NBTC) in conjunction with the Royal Thai Army Radio and Television have been running a high power DAB+ trial in the Thai capital of Bangkok since 2018.

A second project has been established to test DAB+ in four major regional areas, Chon Buri south of Bangkok, Chiang Mai in the north, Khon Kaen in the northeast, and Song Khla in the south of Thailand. The regional trials are an extension of the Bangkok trial and focus on determining the suitable technical standard and parameters for the regional areas.

Last update: 31.05.2023 - older versions

DAB+ coverage in Bangkok metropolitan area and its vicinity is approximately 16.7% of the population of Thailand, with mobile DAB+ coverage of approximately 11 million people.

The coverage of the regional transmissions is currently being assessed through the ongoing regional trials and is expected to be able provide services to approximately 4 million people

Last update: 05.03.2021 - older versions

In this country there are

Regional multiplexes: 2 Trial

on air.

Please note:

(a) These web pages are updated regularly to reflect current services on air, however they may not be exactly up to date.

(b) The logos shown on these pages are for illustrative purposes only – manufacturers and broadcasters are directed here for information on implementing station logos.

	Simulcast on AM / FM	Exclusive on digital	Total of services
DAB+ programmes	13	1	14

Last update: 27.09.2019 - older versions

NBTC has continuing cooperation with automotive manufacturers in Thailand such as organising focus group meeting on Digital Radio Strategies development plan.

In Thailand, 35% of radio listening takes place in the car.

Last update: 31.05.2023 - older versions

NBTC has consulted with radio receiver manufacturers for sourcing digital radio receivers.

During the regional trial TV5, the system provider, worked with a number of receiver manufacturers to develop a domestic receiver which includes a colour screen, is Thai language text capable and also has controls for Announcements such as traffic and news and includes the Emergency Warning function.

Last update: 31.05.2023 - older versions

In the beginning phase in 2019, the frequency plan for the DAB+ digital radio trial was planned to cover 10 major cities within eight provinces – Bangkok, Chiangmai, Kon Kaen, Nakorn Ratchasima, Sriracha, Pattaya, Prachaup Khiri Khan, Nakorn Si Thammarat, Songkla and Phuket. In 2021, the trial refocused on six major cities: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Song Khla / Hat Yai and Chon Buri area (Sri Racha and Pattaya).

The objectives of the trial are to discover appropriate network parameters in different environments, to demonstrate interference-free audio and business models, and to introduce new data services on DAB+ including slideshows, data communication, emergency warning system (EWS), electronic programme guide (EPG), and pop-up services.

The initial trial started in April 2019 carried out in Bangkok and the immediate vicinity. The second trial was signed up in January 2021 for further development and in response to the emerging issues.

Today, the trial network consists of one DAB+ multiplex with capacity for up to 18 audio services (see Services on air) including the top ten most popular commercial channels in Bangkok plus six regional services and two data services.

Last update: 20.05.2022 - older versions

In alignment with digitalization and digitization frameworks such as the Digital Economy and Society Development Plans (No. 1 (2016 - 2018) and No.2 (2018 - 2037)), digital transformation has been adopted in the First Thailand Broadcasting Master Plan B.E. 2555 – 2559 (2012-2016) and following the Second Broadcasting Master Plan B.E. 2563 – 2568 (2020 - 2025) as guidelines to enhance the standards of the broadcasting service and to increase access/options for people to continually receive services and necessary basic information throughout the nation.

The use of VHF radiofrequency for digital radio was as well collaboratively prescribed under the Spectrum Management Master Plan B.E. 2564 (2021) and its amendments. Thus, the roll-out of terrestrial digital radio has been continuously proceeding as one of the ultimate achievements since 2012. Today, the trial operation has been set as one of the key indicators of Strategy No.1 - the Development of Audio Broadcasting Service in Thailand - under the Second Broadcasting Master Plan.

Last update: 27.09.2019 - older versions

NBTC will propose a transition plan to digital radio

06.09.2023 - National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission of Thailand WorldDAB Member - Thailand

The NBTC will propose a transition plan to digital radio in order to have enough spectrum to conduct business for 3,909 community radio stations by creating a new digital radio network. A study found that an investment of 1,000 million baht is required for expanding the network over 3 years to cover 50-60% of the country's service area, while also requiring a digital radio receiver, which costs approximately 1,000 baht per box. For such a plan The NBTC is scheduled to listen to opinions in specific groups or focus groups in 4 regions in October 2023 in order to move forward with announcing licensing criteria by mid-2024 before the trial broadcasting permission of community radio ends in December 2024.

(Post Today (Thailand)) Read more

NBTC proposes digital radio licensing

06.09.2023 - National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission of Thailand WorldDAB Member - Thailand

Air Chief Marshal Thanaphan Raicharoen, National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) for broadcasting, revealed that the NBTC is preparing to propose a transition plan to digital radio in order to have sufficient frequencies to conduct business for 3,909 community radio stations by creating a new digital radio network. Studies have found that an investment of 1,000 million baht is required for network expansion for 3 years, covering a service area of 50- 60% of the country, while digital radio receivers are priced at around 1,000 baht per box and will need to talk with radio receiver manufacturers in the market to produce them to support them as well.

(Daily News (Thailand)) Read more

Thailand's NBTC preps shift to digital broadcasting

06.09.2023 - National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission of Thailand WorldDAB Member - Thailand

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is planning a transition of existing analogue radio stations to the digital audio broadcasting (DAB) system under its planned licensing regime. The plan is meant to improve the industry's service standards and help all stakeholders handle digital disruption, according to the telecom regulator. The shift also includes the 3,900 community radio stations that were permitted by the NBTC to operate on a trial basis. The NBTC aims to finish the DAB licensing method and principles by the middle of next year, and is planning to start the shift to the DAB system in early 2025. The NBTC panel drafting the DAB licensing regime has already concluded all the licensing details.

(Bangkok Post) Read more

Thailand expands DAB+ trial into regional areas

07.02.2023 - National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission of Thailand WorldDAB Member - Thailand

The establishment of DAB+ in South East Asia is being led by activities in Thailand. The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission of Thailand (NBTC) in conjunction with the Royal Thai Army Radio and Television have been running a high power DAB+ trial in the Thai capital of Bangkok since 2018. A second project has been established to test DAB+ in four major regional areas, Chon Buri south of Bangkok, Chiang Mai in the north, Khon Kaen in the northeast, and Song Khla in the south of Thailand. The regional trials are an extension of the Bangkok trial and focus on determining the suitable technical standard and parameters for the regional areas. The NBTC commissioner for Radio Broadcast Air-Vice-Marshall Dr. Thanapant said: “The NBTC is now considering how to deliver state-of-the-art DAB digital broadcast radio to all of Thailand to ensure that the public can receive high quality radio with increased services. The results of the regional trial will be useful input into that process”.

(RadioInfo Asia) Read more

Chiang Mai University introduces DAB+ broadcasting for emergency warning

31.10.2019 - Paneda WorldDAB Member - Thailand

The faculty of Mass Communication at Chiang Mai University has partnered with Paneda to use DAB+ digital radio technology for testing its potential for emergency warnings. The trial phase is set to start in the near future.

(Chiangrai) Read more

Broadcasters from across Southeast Asia assemble for DAB+ workshop

28.07.2019 -

- National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission of Thailand WorldDAB Member - Thailand

Radio experts from several countries across the ASEAN region attended the workshop on digital radio services implementation and business Models which took place on July 24 at Bangkok, Thailand. Speaking via video link, WorldDAB Vice President and CEO of Commercial Radio Australia Joan Warner congratulated Thailand on leading the way in the region following the launch of 20-month trial in Bangkok and the areas surrounding the capital, with a total of 11 stations on air.

(Asia Radio Today) Read more

ASEAN broadcasters assemble in Bangkok for DAB+ workshop

25.07.2019 - Thailand

Radio experts from across ASEAN attended yesterday's workshop on "Digital Radio Services, Implementation and Business Models" organised jointly by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), the Royal Thai Army (RTA), the Government Public Relations Department (PRO) and WorldDAB.

DAB+ trials announced in Thailand and Vietnam

11.03.2019 - National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission of Thailand WorldDAB Member - Thailand - Vietnam

A 20 month trial is expected to go on air in and around Bangkok this year, with a total of 11 stations set to take part in the trial.Vietnam is also ready to proceed with a further DAB+ to evaluate coverage parameters and test signal and sound quality in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. The trial is due to start in April 2019.

(Asia Radio Today) Read more

Thailand and Vietnam announce DAB+ trials

07.03.2019 - Thailand - Vietnam

NBTC Thailand and Voice of Vietnam both provided further details and timelines for the planned DAB+ trials at this week’s ABU Digital Broadcasting Symposium in Kuala Lumpur. A 20 month trial is expected to go on air this year in and around Bangkok, while Vietnam is now ready to proceed with its second DAB+ trial in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh in April 2019.

(WorldDAB) Read more

Factum Radioscape provides first national DAB+ head-end system for Thailand

24.01.2019 - Factum Radioscape - Thailand

Factum Radioscape's ENMUXA will be the first DAB+ head end system in the Thailand. The redundant encoding, multiplexing and monitoring system is currently being installed in Bangkok and is expected to go on air in coming weeks.

(Factum Radioscape) Read more