National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) has filed complaints with the Royal Thai Police seeking legal action against 1,631 illegal radio and TV stations.
NBTC secretary-general Takorn Tantasit said the move follows many complaints from several agencies about illegal broadcasts interferring with legal signals in violation of the law.
He said 167 stations have closed down and another 109 stations searched. However, the remaining of 1,355 stations were still in queue for legal processing.
He said the illegal radio stations violate the Communication Radio Act, which provides for a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment and a 100,000 baht fine.
These stations also violate the Radio and Broadcasting Business Act by operating without licences. The law carries provides for a maximum punishment of a five million baht fine and five years imprisonment as well as a daily fine of 50,000 baht.
Mr Takorn said the NBTC has been encouraging illegal radio and television stations to apply for approval for experimental operations. As of Sept 30, 2013, a total of 2,844 businesses had already been approved for such pilot operations.