The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission's (NBTC) board approved on Wednesday the sequencing of 17 new digital TV channels for education run by the Education Ministry, comprising channels No.37-53.
These channels are projected to begin broadcasting on a temporary basis from July 1. Airing will end in six months.
They are to serve as alternatives to promote youth education and learning during the pandemic.
The NBTC board also approved Thai PBS TV station using a frequency band to run an active learning TV programme for six months. The programme will air on Channel No.4.
NBTC secretary-general Takorn Tantasith said yesterday's resolution came after the NBTC board on April 30 approved the Education Ministry's request to test terrestrial digital TV for education on 17 channels under the standard definition system, in accordance with a push to promote education and learning.
Of the 17 channels, 15 involve basic education programmes, one concerns distance education and another is related to vocational education.
Takorn: System to be ready by July
"We approved the Education Ministry's request quickly to ensure they prepare the system and are ready before July 1," said Mr Takorn.
Channel No.4, which will be run by Thai PBS, will broadcast active learning TV programmes, he said.
"If Thai PBS wants to continue operating Channel 4 after the six-month period, it needs to apply to the NBTC office and comply with the regulator's permit conditions," said Mr Takorn.
The NBTC board also approved another 100.5 million baht in funds for 69 state hospitals as the third batch of aid in the fight against the pandemic.
The first batch of 345 million baht was approved by the NBTC in April with 41 state hospitals qualified to receive the assistance.
A total of 237 hospitals applied for the assistance at that time.
The second batch of 200 million baht was recently set aside for 19 hospitals.
Whether hospitals are granted the assistance depends on proposal details and necessity.
Qualified hospitals are obliged to spend money on developing their service capacity by 45 days after receiving the assistance.
The NBTC is accepting hospitals' applications for assistance from March 26 to June.
The regulator set out an initial plan to provide 1 billion baht in assistance.