Thailand’s media regulator continues its clamp down on the thousands of pirate radio and tv stations in the country.

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has launched legal action against 1631 broadcasters – mostly thought to be radio stations.

So far, 167 stations have been closed down and a further 109 have been searched, according to an NBTC release.

The remaining 1355 broadcasters will face legal action in due course.

The stations are all accused of using broadcasting equipment without a licence and using  frequencies reserved for legal broadcasters.

Owners could face fines of US$160,000 (Thai Baht 5 million) and a five year jail term.

The NBTC has urged the thousands of stations broadcasting illegally in Thailand to apply for community broadcasting licences.

By the end of September, more than of 2,800 organisations have been approved for temporary licences, according to the Bangkok Post.