Radio stations dominated by state

The Straits Times, March 5, 2007


OF MORE than 500 radio stations in Thailand, 201 belong to the Defence Ministry, 147 to the government's public relations department, 44 to the police and 62 to state agency Mass Communications Organisation of Thailand. The rest are leased out to the private sector.

Since the military takeover last September, community radio stations have also lost their edge; the country's army has made it clear they must all fall in line.