Thailand

Last update: 11-03-2019 - older versions

A 20 month trial is expected to go on air in 2019 in Bangkok and the areas surrounding the capital, with a total of 11 stations set to take part in the trial. The first phase of the trial – the technical test – is expected to start in April 2019, and will be followed by the launch of basic services in July 2019. Finally, the third and final phase of the trial – the launch of advanced services – is expected to be completed in 2020.

NBTC has developed the Frequency plan for Digital Radio Trial in Thailand, and now it is a process of public consultation. The digital radio trial plan has been developed and would be implemented in the main cities once the plan is approved.

NBTC and ITU have joint project on Roadmap Development for Digital Terrestrial Radio Roll Out in Thailand. The study report “Deployment Strategies for Digital Radio Services in Thailand” is available on at https://broadcast.nbtc.go.th/data/academic/file/600300000002.pdf.

According to the first Thailand Broadcasting Master Plan (2012-2016) digital terrestrial radio broadcasting services have to deploy in Thailand within five years after the adoption of the Master Plan. The first National Digital Economy (DE) plan (2016-2018) also states in the strategies for digital radio rollout that it should provide a digital radio network in Thailand within three year after adoption of DE plan.

DAB+ demonstrations began in Bangkok on 1st March 2013.

Last update: 21-06-2018 - older versions

NBTC has developed the draft of Frequency Plan for Digital Radio Trial in Thailand with assisted by ITU. Using some available frequency channels on VHF band III,VHF Band III is now currently used by Analogue TV broadcasting services that will be available after Analogue TV Switch off in Thailand, the draft Digital Radio trial frequency plan will be proposed for approval.

Last update: 20-03-2017 - older versions

NBTC has continuing cooperation with automotive manufacturers in Thailand such as organising focus group meeting on Digital Radio Strategies development plan, and will engage the automotive manufacturers and OEMs manufacturing vehicles once NBTC starts trial Digital Radio broadcasting services.

Last update: 29-09-2014

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

Last update: 11-03-2019 - older versions

The frequency plan for the DAB+ digital radio trial starting in 2019 covers 10 cities (9 provices) – Bangkok, Chiangmai, Kon Kaen, Nakorn Ratchasima, Sriracha, Pattaya, Prachaup Khiri Khan, Nakorn Si Thammarat, Songkla and Phuket.

The objective of the trial will be to discover appropriate network parameters in different environments, and to demonstrate interference free audio, business models, introduce new data services on DAB+ including slideshow, data, emergency warning, EPG, and pop-up services.

The initial trial will go on-air in April 2019 covering Bangkok and the immediate vicinity, and will last for a period of 20 months, until end 2021. The trial network will consist of one DAB+ multiplex with a capacity of up to 18 services. There will be a total of 11 trial services (programmes) on air with the trial, including one test channel. The top 10 most popular commercial radio channels will broadcast alongside public services covering traffic information, and will include also the major incumbent radio broadcasters (RTA, MCOT, and PRD).

Last update: 20-03-2017 - older versions

The first Thailand Broadcasting Master Plan (2012-2016) states strategies for terrestrial digital radio roll-out with key objectives:

Roadmap and policy for digital terrestrial radio roll-out within two years, after the adoption of the Master Plan
Broadcasting spectrum management policy and plan, as well as spectrum licensing framework for digital radio broadcasting within three years
At least 80% of households in major cities will be able to access digital terrestrial broadcast within five year

The first National Digital Economy (DE) plan (2016-2018) also states the strategies for Digital Radio rollout that it should provide digital radio network in Thailand within three years after adoption of DE plan.

Last update: 20-03-2017 - older versions

Emergency Warning Systems (EWS) policy would be considered in for Digital Radio Development plan in Thailand.

Broadcasters from across Southeast Asia assemble for DAB+ workshop

- 28.07.2019 - National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission of Thailand - 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.

From Asia Radio Today:

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 - 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.

From Asia Radio Today:

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.

From WorldDAB:

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.

From Factum Radioscape:

Paneda awarded first DAB head-end system in Thailand

26.09.2018 - Thailand -

Paneda has been awarded to provide the first DAB head-end system in Thailand, the system includes a fully redundant system including the unique Paneda SMART content switching. This first DAB system will be on-air by the end of the year and starts in Bangkok. Thailand will continue to roll out DAB networks across Thailand, starting 2019. "This first order for DAB+ head-end systems in Thailand is a big step into digitisation of radio in Thailand, and we are proud to be selected as provider of the DAB technology," Paneda Asia Sales Manager Anupon Tajawanno said.

From Paneda:

The CMTSX7: Sony's coolest sound system yet

- 09.10.2017 - Sony Home Entertainment & Sound Products Inc. - Thailand -

Sony CMTSX7 is a multifunction Hi-Fi system with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology that has powerful and good-quality sounds and gives you networked speakers. The SX7 is a CD player, FM tuner, DAB digital radio receiver, Bluetooth speaker system...

From ThaiVisa News:

Sony's coolest sound system yet

- 26.08.2017 - Sony Home Entertainment & Sound Products Inc. - Thailand -

The SX7 is a CD player, FM tuner, DAB digital radio receiver, Bluetooth speaker system, Wi-Fi speaker system, USB music player, USB DAC speaker system for your computer, and a Chromecast speaker system with Chromecast built in..

From The Nation:

Joan Warner at Radio Asia: Radio's future is multi-platform

- 26.04.2017 - Commercial Radio Australia - Thailand - - Australia -

At RadioAsia 2017, Joan Warner from Commercial Radio Australia discussed the success of radio in Australia, focusing on innovative radio content creation, and commented: “Radio businesses need to continue moving forward while keeping their deep connections with their audiences,” she said, but warned that broadcasting needs to remain free to air and “not be controlled by gatekeepers such as internet providers... Radio’s future is multi-platform but the core business model for the foreseeable future is in free to air broadcasting.”

From Asia Radio Today:

Thai radio plans to move to digital broadcasting

- 26.04.2017 - National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission of Thailand - Thailand -

Speaking at the RadioAsia 2017 Conference in Thailand, the Chairman of the country's regulator NBTC, Colonel Sukonrat outlined some the problems currently being experienced by the Thai radio industry. "There are too many stations, especially the trial stations; there is frequency interference; and there are delays in technological development... Radio is a crucial means of communication in Thailand," he said, telling delegates there are 193 AM stations on air, 313 FM stations and 5418 FM trial stations.

From Asia Radio Today: