"We will file the petition as soon as possible," said Traiphop Limpraphat, executive of Born Corp, one of the 120 producers which have made light-entertainment programmes for TITV. While earning no money from the government for productions since March 7 when iTV's licence was revoked, Traiphop said at a press conference yesterday that the government had reached its conclusion without asking for opinions from the private operators involved.

Their programmes account for 60 per cent of air time on TITV.

He lashed out at the Cabinet's decision to turn TITV into a public station funded by a state subsidy of about Bt1.7 billion per year, with no advertising allowed. Financing it would be part of sin taxes, he said.

This would affect producers allocated time slots and which expect to profit from ad revenue.

Traiphop, whose company made a number of iTV programmes, also attacked Thailand Development Research Institute researcher Somkiat Tangkitvanich for saying that TITV was the most practical choice for a public television station.

"Over the world, some broadcasters have been independent and privately run and have been successful, such as CNN. The Thai government is stepping backward, without a good reason. While Thailand should have a public station, it is unnecessary to end the independence of TITV and turn it into a public channel. We are wondering if there is a hidden agenda in this," he said.

Sompong Wannapinyo, president of TV Thunder which produces three programmes for TITV, said these would have to end if no commercial breaks were allowed. Such a move would affect 90 staff.

At the same press conference, Sompong said the government had made the decision without realising that it required a lot of money and long-term planning to produce a programme. TV Thunder has to produce three or four soap operas a year, and each takes about three months to complete. "We are paying for the air time and we pay income taxes, but the government is ending all this - and paying to make the change," he quipped.

Nirut Tan-anusittikul, CEO of EFF, which imports "National Geographic" and "Discovery Kids" programmes, said programmes were purchased years in advance. The abrupt change - expected to take effect before the government's term ends in six months - will disrupt the firm's business plan.

"The 1992 government should be commended for its thorough consideration in terms of social and economic value when planning to create independent iTV, so that its revenue could finance public TV Channel 11. This government's thinking has only a social dimension, entirely lacking an economic dimension. It does not make sense to  change a money-making business."

Supong Limthanakul, a deputy rector of Bangkok University, said Channel 11 was the most practical choice for a public TV station.

Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn

The Nation