The Thai government has rejected reports that state broadcaster MCOT is being considered for a merger with Thai Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS), saying no such plan has been communicated to officials overseeing the organisation.
Supamas Isarabhakdi, a minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for overseeing MCOT, said she was unaware of any government directive calling for the two broadcasters to be combined.
Supamas said she had asked MCOT executives about the reports after hearing speculation about a possible merger. Management also confirmed that they had not received any notification concerning such a plan.
The reports emerged amid efforts to address MCOT’s financial difficulties. The company has been working with the State Enterprise Policy Office (SEPO), which operates under the Finance Ministry, on measures aimed at tackling losses and improving its operations.
According to Supamas, MCOT has been working with SEPO for about a year and is preparing to submit a plan on Sept 25 as part of that process.
She said the reports about a possible merger appeared to be based on speculation attributed to a Finance Ministry source rather than an official proposal presented to MCOT or the government officials overseeing it.
Supamas urged MCOT employees not to be alarmed by the reports, stressing that neither she nor the company’s executives had been informed of a merger plan.
The issue comes as state-owned media organisations face continuing pressure to adapt to changes in the broadcasting industry, including shifts in audience behaviour, digital competition and financial challenges.
For now, MCOT is expected to continue focusing on its restructuring and efforts to address its financial position. Any potential changes to its organisational structure would require further consideration and an official decision from the relevant authorities.
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