TOT Plc will modernise most of its coin-operated public telephone booths in Bangkok in an attempt to revive usage.
Instead of solely being public phone boxes, the modernisation will see the installation of WiFi service areas, online top-up machines for prepaid mobile users and advertising areas by 2019.
At least 300 of the phone boxes in Bangkok will even have automated defibrillators by 2019 to maximise the use of booth space.
TOT signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Institute for Emergency Medicine to work on the external defibrillator project entitled "Telephone booth helps life".
The modernisation programme is part of TOT's survival plan to boost revenue and create new revenue streams, said senior executive vice-president Jumpon Thanasopon.
Revenue from public phone booths has seen a sharp decline, from 10,000 baht per month from a single booth in the past decade to only 200 baht per booth in a month. Larger phone booths with additional amenities will bring in revenue from telecommunications and advertising companies.
Mr Jumpon said TOT granted a contract to Forth Smart Service (FSMART) to install online top-up machines last year. The company has so far installed online top-up machines in 3,000 TOT phone booths, and expects to have 6,000 installed by 2018.
FSMART will pay TOT a fixed rental fee rate of 650 baht per booth per month.
Mr Jumpon said TOT will install WiFi hotspots in public phone booths, especially near schools and public transportation areas, to provide affordable wireless broadband service on the state enterprise's mobile spectrum.
"We expect to start providing WiFi service within next year," he said.
In addition, TOT will allow advertisers to rent its phone booths to advertise products. Plan B, an out-of-home media service provider, is the first company to sign a contract with TOT, and will pay 800 baht per month per booth.
Mr Jumpon said TOT has 120,000 public telephone booths nationwide. Of the total, 20,000 are located in Bangkok and the remaining 100,000 in provinces.
He admitted that the popularity of public telephone service in Thailand has declined tremendously, as almost every person in the country has a mobile device.