Digital Reach

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OYAL PROCLAMATION FORMALLY

established the

National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on 1

October 2004. His Majesty the King of Thailand

appointed General Choochart Promphrasid as chairman of the

NTC, along with six commissioners: Mr Rianchai Reowilaisuk,

Professor Prasit Prapinmongkolkarn, Mr Suchat Suchavejapoom,

Professor Sethaporn Cusripituck, Associate Professor Sudharma

Yoonaidharma and Dr Artorn Chandavimol.

The NTC can now fully exercise its role as Thailand’s telecom-

munication regulator, pursuant to the provisions of the Act on

the Organization to Assign Radio Frequency and to Regulate the

Broadcasting and Telecommunication Services BE 2543 (2000)

and the Telecommunication Business Act BE 2544 (2001).

The NTC is the first independent state telecommunications

regulator. Its duties and responsibilities are to regulate all telecom-

munication services in the country through formulating a master-

plan on telecommunications activities, setting criteria and

categories for telecommunication services, permitting and regu-

lating the use of spectrum for telecommunication services, and

granting licences to operators.

At the outset, the NTC started mapping out its action plan,

which is aimed at regulating and promoting telecommunica-

tion services in the country on a free and fair basis. The action

plan focuses on creating transparency and non-discrimination

in telecommunication services, enhancing public participation,

balancing and making the best use of resources, building the

telecommunications infrastructure and promoting research and

development on telecommunications technology to support

the sustainable growth of the domestic telecommunications

industry.

Regulating telecommunications

in Thailand

The National Telecommunications Commission, Thailand

CENTRE: General Choochart PROMPHRASID STANDING ROW, FROM LEFT: Mr. Suchat SUCHAVEJAPOOM, Associate Professor Sudharma

YOONAIDHARMA, Mr. Rianchai REOWILAISUK, Professor Sethaporn CUSRIPITUCK, Dr. Artorn CHANDAVIMOL, Professor Prasit

PRAPINMONGKOLKARN, Ph.D