Phuket’s English station Live 89.5 is introducing a new line-up starting May 4.

Phil Brandel, who presents the breakfast show ‘Good Morning Phuket’, is heading back to Australia and will be replaced by young Canadian Chris Howson.

The station is also starting a new regional News Hour which will be a daily report about all the ASEAN news from Thailand and the emerging economic zone.

It will be hosted by Australia’s Tim Shaw.

It’s been almost a year since all Thai FM stations were taken off air following the Thai Army coup in May 2014.

Live 89.5 was off air for 4 months and 2 days but has emerged as one of a handful of FM stations to re-appear on the island.

According to the station’s manager Tim Newton, it’s been a tough year.

He said: “We expect other stations re-appear eventually but the new Thai government has raised the bar on all compliance issues making it more complicated than before. Really, it’s better for everyone when there is more choice and more competition. We really hope the other stations return soon.”