Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is proceeding with a regional trial of digital audio broadcasting using DAB+ technology. The trial will cover Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham, and Roi Et provinces, marking a significant step forward for Thailand in its digital radio development.
Air Chief Marshal Thanapan Haricharoen, NBTC official, revealed that this digital audio broadcasting trial and test represents another significant step forward for Thailand in pushing the radio industry towards digitalization. In addition to being the first regional trial, it also marks the development of transmitters and broadcasting network control entirely by Thais. This reduces the cost of imported equipment, enables operators to save on operational costs, and increases the public’s ability to continuously listen to content from a single station.
NBTC has authorized the use of the 6C block frequency (185.360 MHz) for at least 16 stations or channels. The NBTC also demonstrated emergency warnings by cutting off the signal to immediately alert and send a message to all receivers within a designated area, enhancing the efficiency of the national disaster warning system. People can still receive news and information even in areas without electricity or without a telephone signal.
Thanapan added that radio receivers have also been promoted to create an industry by Thais. The NBTC has been assigned to organize a training course on “Building a Digital Broadcasting (DAB+) Receiver Using a Small Data Processing Device and a Receiver.” This course is to support and promote learning for business operators, students, and the public with a background in microcontrollers and computer programming, enabling them to develop DAB+ receivers and create prototype radios by themselves.
“The auction for local FM radio frequencies for commercial use is still proceeding according to the specified plan. The NBTC will hold an online meeting to explain and demonstrate the auction method on October 27-29, 2025, divided into three sessions (days) to minimize the number of participants. The actual electronic auction will take place this November. The winners of the auction and their licenses will be announced at the same time as the selection results for community and public radio stations, in order to allow local radio stations to… All community, public, and business types can transition to the licensing system on January 1, 2026,” Thanapan concluded.