The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission has made a U-turn by saying it would not push the plan to relax licence fee payment terms for two telecom operators.
NBTC secretary-general Takorn Tantasith on Monday indicated the change of the regulator's stance on helping Advanced Info Service (AIS) and True Move. The plan involves allowing the pair to extend the final payments to five years, at a 1.5% interest rate, instead of paying the amount in full in 2020.
"If the government wants to help only digital TV operators, that's fine. I felt uncomfortable over the past four or five days as the NBTC was seen as a villain behind the issue," Daily News Online quoted him as saying during a briefing.
He said the telecom regulator only offered the solutions at the request of the National Council for Peace and Order, who asked it to consider the possibilities, he added.
The NBTC has been under fire after it came up with the relief financial package for the two firms. The regulator claimed it was a win-win situation -- more money going to state coffers from the interest the companies would pay over the extended payment period and more competition at the upcoming 1800-MHz spectrum auction since the pair would have more disposable funds to join the bid.
Market leader AIS and second-ranked True Move earlier called on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to use his special power under Section 44 as the NCPO's chief to allow the two companies more friendly payment terms for the 900MHz licences. They acted after the NCPO said it would consider financial relief for cash-strapped digital-TV operators.
The companies later discussed the issue with the NBTC, which proposed the plan to the cabinet two weeks ago. Prime Minister Prayut, however, put it on hold for a comprehensive review.
Thailand Development Research Institute president Somkiat Tangkitvanich has led a campaign against the plan and strongly criticised the NBTC for "carrying" the two firms at the expense of the public.
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon on Monday said helping AIS and True was not on the junta's agenda. Finding a way out for digital TV operators was a priority, Gen Prawit said.