TV content providers are uncertain of financial support from the regulator after dissolution of the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Research and Development Fund for the Public Interest (BTFP).
The fund may be dissolved after the 10 draft bills related to the digital economy take effect, as the 10-billion-baht BTFP is not covered under any of them.
BTFP director Niphon Chongwichit said his office would submit a letter to the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission's legal subcommittee explaining the legal problems with the fund.
The letter will seek clarification as to whether it can still carry out broadcasting-related projects.
With the rules and regulations regarding the BTFP unclear, the previous model of using revenue from TV auctions to develop the broadcasting industry may change.
"It would be a shame if revenue generated from the TV industry could not be used to enhance TV content," Mr Niphon said.
Last year, the BTFP joined with the New Explorer Foundation on a documentary production project.
The project received 5 million baht from the BTFP, which wants to promote Thailand as a content hub for Asia.
The project is also aimed at enhancing human resource (HR) skills and capabilities to a level competitive with international documentary producers such as BBC, the Discovery Channel and National Geographic.
This is in line with Thailand's TV landscape, where the number of channels has increased to 27 from six — content is needed to supply the new channels.
BTFP president ACM Thares Punsri said the content development project is also aimed at reducing imported content, which has doubled with the rise of digital TV.
Moreover, the availability of more documentaries will mean a greater variety of content.
Variety shows and soap operas now dominate TV at 70-80% of total content, with informative content such as documentaries and news shows making up the rest.
New Explorer Foundation president Amornpat Chomrat said 80% of its documentaries are imported and the rest produced by its own team.
"Thailand has huge potential to become a content hub for Asia, based on its interesting stories, but quality HR in the TV industry remains in short supply," he said.