The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission resolved with a majority vote to allocate 600 million baht to help the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) pay for rights to the live broadcasts of the World Cup 2022 final round from Nov 21 to Dec 18.
Acting NBTC secretary-general Trairat Viriyasirikul said that the NBTC approved the spending of 600 million baht from the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Research and Development Fund for Public Interest to let all Thai people watch all the 64 live broadcasts of the World Cup finals through all free TV platforms. It was to protect and promote the rights of people with disabilities, low-income earners and the underprivileged to broadcasts, he said.
However, Mr Trairat did not mention a possible solution regarding the SAT’s request for 1.6 billion baht from the NBTC for the World Cup purpose.
Meanwhile, Sirikanya Tansakun, deputy leader of the Move Forward Party, said that the NBTC had no authority to spend the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Research and Development Fund on the purpose. She said she would file a relevant complaint with the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
“I wish the NBTC to lift the “Must Have” and “Must Carry” rules to allow the private sector to bid for the right to the live broadcasts of the World Cup finals for business purposes,” Ms Sirikanya said. (TNA)