Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam is expected to submit a petition justifying the use of Section 44 to suspend debt repayments for digital TV and mobile operators by the end of the month.
Government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, in his capacity as the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) chief, has instructed Mr Wissanu put the case for the use of Section 44 in writing and forward it for consideration.
The order follows last week's meeting between Takorn Tantasith, secretary-general of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), Mr Wissanu and the NCPO over the hardships faced by operators of digital TV and the 900-megahertz mobile spectrum.
Mr Wissanu is chair of the working committee on the issue.
Under the NBTC's proposal, debt payments would be suspended for three years for digital TV operators. They have also asked for a 50% cut in the network rental fee for 24 months.
For the two mobile phone operators -- Advanced Info Service Plc and True Corp -- the NBTC is asking the NCPO to allow them to pay the last instalments of 59.5 and 60.2 billion baht respectively over five years, instead of in one lump sum in 2019.
According to Lt Gen Sansern, the prime minister has asked authorities concerned to resolve the issue this month.
Lt Gen Sansern said Gen Prayut has emphasised the need for the NBTC and concerned parties to consider the proposal thoroughly and keep in mind some three elements.
"It must not cause damage to the state so the operators can continue with their businesses. It must not affect investor confidence and the operators must be made aware of risks," he said.
The proposal to give assistance to the digital TV operators has been met with caution by critics who see it as excessively favouring the private sector.
Lt Gen Sansern, who serves as acting chief of the Public Relations Department, said a proposal seeking to allow the PRD to show advertisements is expected to be finalised as well.
In defence of the proposal, he said the PRD is allocated an annual budget of 239 million baht which is not enough for the department to produce "high quality" programmes.
Under the proposal, both the PRD and content producers will be allowed to seek sponsorship but airtime and rates for advertisements will be regulated.
Lt Gen Sansern said the proposal is not for profit, but to help fund the production of quality content.
According to Lt Gen Sansern, the 239-million-baht budget covers production costs for both television and radio programmes under the PRD's jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, NCPO secretary-general Chalermchai Sitthisad yesterday played down the proposal seeking to allow two mobile phone operators to pay their last instalments over five years, saying it is not yet finalised.
He insisted the proposal would be deliberated carefully.