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Thailand

Last update: 09.04.2025 - older versions

After the NBTC announced criteria for permits to use radio frequencies for temporary testing and experimentation, the NBTC meeting on March 26, 2025 approved two operators to conduct testing for six months, namely:

1. The Dharma Radio Station Group, Block 9A in the Bangkok and surrounding areas. Stations participating include Dharma for the People Station and Santi Radio Station;

2. The Khon Kaen Station Group: block 6C in the areas of Khon Kaen and Maha Sarakham, with stations such as Khon Kaen Mahanakhon Radio Station, Sai Fah Radio Station, Thai Local Radio Station, etc.

In October/November 2024, the NBTC published three key digital radio broadcasting technology announcements:

The radio frequency plan "covers the assignment of frequencies, technical specifications and conditions of use of frequencies for digital broadcasting in the 174 - 230 MHz radio frequency band. It defines the radio frequency blocks that can be permitted for use in each area and specifies the use of the Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) system with MPEG-4 High Efficiency Advanced Audio Coding version 2 (MPEG-4 HE AAC v2) audio codec, or DAB+ Audio."

In June 2024, the Royal Thai Army Radio and Television Station presented a summary of the results of its DAB+ experiment. It has tested both outdoor and indoor listening, as well as testing sending short messages and Emergency Warnings or breaking news. The test results were satisfactory, broadcasting quality is good in every sector, except in Chonburi, where parameters need to be adjusted in some areas. “The results of this experiment allow the NBTC office to receive useful information that can be further developed. The next step is to present it to the NBTC for approval in the criteria and methods for granting permission to create a network operator that can provide services to radio station operators in community, public and business categories,” said Air Chief Marshal Dr. Thanaphan.

From 2018, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission of Thailand (NBTC) in conjunction with the Royal Thai Army Radio and Television ran a high power DAB+ trial in the Thai capital of Bangkok. This was completed in July 2023.

There are DAB+ broadcasts 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. These cover around 7 million people, over 10% of the population.

Last update: 10.12.2024 - older versions

Last update: 05.03.2021 - older versions

In this country there is

Regional multiplex: 1 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	17	0	17

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

Thailand settles on DAB+

22.03.2017 - National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission of Thailand WorldDAB Member - Thailand

Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission is to launch digital radio in 2018 and is finalising guidelines before the start of a nationwide trial. DAB+ licenses are to be sold gradually nationwide, regionally and then locally.

(Radio magazine) Read more

Digital radio to be launched in Thailand in 2018

17.03.2017 - National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission of Thailand WorldDAB Member - Thailand

NBTC plans to launch digital radio in 2018 and states that guidelines should be finalised before the start of a nationwide trial. DAB+ licenses are to be gradually sold nationwide, regionally and then locally. The first trial DAB+ broadcasts began in Bangkok in March 2013.

(Asia Pacific Broadcasting Company) Read more

DAB+ in Bangkok, Thailand

27.02.2017 - National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission of Thailand WorldDAB Member - Thailand

The Thai regulator NBTC plans to launch digital radio in 2018. DAB+ licenses are to be gradually sold nationwide, regionally and then locally. The first trial DAB+ broadcasts began in Bangkok in March 2013.

(Radioempfang) Read more

ABU teams up with NBTC-Thailand on Digital Radio Broadcasting capacity building

13.12.2016 - National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission of Thailand WorldDAB Member - Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) WorldDAB Member - Thailand

Over one hundred participants took part in the capacity building session in Pattaya on December 2. They were mainly from government agencies, radio broadcasters, consumer organisations, media associations and other stakeholders from the Digital Radio broadcast technologies sector.

(Asia Radio Today) Read more

ABU teams up with NBTC-Thailand on Digital Radio Broadcasting capacity building

09.12.2016 - National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission of Thailand WorldDAB Member - Thailand

Over one hundred participants took part in the capacity building session in Pattaya on 2 December 2016. They were mainly from government agencies, radio broadcasters, consumer organisations, media associations and other stakeholders from the Digital Radio broadcast technologies sector.

(ABU) Read more

NBTC to start digital radio trial by 2018

25.03.2016 - National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission of Thailand WorldDAB Member - Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) WorldDAB Member - Thailand

Natee Sukonrat, chairman of the NBTC’s broadcasting committee, said the agency is studying guidelines for the planned switching to digital, which is expected to be complete before the start-up of a trial.

(Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union) Read more

Expat radio stations still thriving despite the internet

30.08.2015 - Australia - Switzerland - Belgium - Thailand

Expat stations have many problems: not least, non-existent or fatally flawed research figures, and sometimes quite draconian broadcast law and ownership rules that differ from ‘back home’. That said, there are significant opportunities with new technologies, like DAB+ and online, to better serve expat communities.

(radioinfo) Read more

Digital radio in Asia-Pacific

31.05.2015 - Commercial Radio & Audio WorldDAB Member - Australia - Myanmar - Thailand

During the RadioAsia 2015 conference in Myanmar, Commercial Radio Australia CEO Joan Warner shared the story of digital radio in Australia, and how radio companies cannot solely rely on telecommunication companies to provide reliable streaming services.

(Asia Radio Today) Read more

NBTC expected to adopt DAB+

25.11.2014 - National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission of Thailand WorldDAB Member - Thailand

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is likely to adopt digital audio broadcasting (DAB) technology for digital radio in Thailand. DAB technology is used for radio broadcasting in Australia and several European countries. DAB+ is the latest version, and a study by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) said DAB+ was a realistic option for Thailand.

(Bangkok Post) Read more