This is an announcement to invite you to the CSEAS Colloquium for February 2014.

Date & Time: 27 Feb (Thu) 2014, 16:00~
Place: Middle-sized Meeting Room (No. 332), 3rd Floor, Inamori Foundation Building, Kyoto University
Speaker: Dr. Nualnoi Treerat, Associate Professor of Chulalongkorn University, Visiting Research Scholar of CSEAS
Title: Factors Affecting Media Industry in Thailand
 

Abstract:
In the last decade, print media in Thailand has diminished in importance, while broadcast media and internet have expanded due to new technology for faster delivery and easier access to information and entertainment. This technology is still developing at a rapid pace, and has become a main driver for significant changes in media industry. The transition from analog to digital has increased productivity of frequency usage, resulting in a rise of terrestrial free-to air TV channels in Thailand, from 6 analog to 48 digital channels, with higher quality. In addition, satellite transmission has allowed many new players to enter the broadcasting market. This has increased the diversity of new sources. New reception devices with lower prices have broadened public access. Audiences now have more choices and control over how content is received and consumed. However, new technology is likely to increase the quantity and speed of news production but with political, economic as well as cultural factors, the quality of media content is doubtful and need to be improved. In addition, the transfer of regulating power on broadcast from government to independent organization, National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, NBTC, has reduced Thai government’s ability to control and censor media. On the contrary, each year government can spend several billions baht on advertisement, leading to the power of government to partly control and distort information flows in the information market. Therefore, Technologies and new laws are the driving force of the transformation of broadcasting in Thailand through an increase of media independence, quality and thus broaden reach.
 

Bio-Note:
Nualnoi Treerat is an Associate Professor at Faculty of Economics, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. She was Deputy Director of Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkokrn University (January 2011-October 2013).
She received a PhD degree from Australian National University, Australia (1994). Her areas of interests include political economy, public policy issues related to health, education, income distribution, common property, decentralization, corruption and illegal economy, Industrial policy, and media industry. Her recent publications include Universal Healthcare Scheme and Health Market in Thailand (2013), Politics and Balance of Power in Thailand Universal Healthcare Scheme (2012), and Thaksin Shinawatra and Mass Media (2009).

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