Over 90% oppose proposed Thai PBS, state agency funding overhaul

Over 90% of the people who took part in public hearings disagree with the government’s proposed change to the source of funding, from sin taxes to national budget, for four entities, including Thai PBS, according to the parliament website.

Since public hearings were staged on September 30 on the four proposed laws, namely the Thai PBS Act, the Health Promotion Foundation Act, the Act on Elderly People and the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) Act, public response has been as follows:

·On Thai PBS Act, 160,000 logged in to read the law. 56,491 expressed their opinions and 96.38% of them disagreed with proposed changes, while 3.62% agreed.

·For the Health Promotion Foundation Act, 19,811 read the law and 9,291 commented. 95.72% disagreed with the proposed amendments, while 4.28% agreed.

·For the Act on the Elderly, 19,831 logged in to read it, but only 9,291 responded. 98.64% disagreed with amending the law, while 1.36% agreed.

·For the SAT Act, 15,681 read the Act, but 7,710 responded. 98.14% disagreed with any change to the law, while 1.66% agreed with the proposed change.

The ruling Bhumjaithai party has proposed bills to parliament to shift the source of funding for the four organisations from legally earmarked alcohol and tobacco taxes to the national annual budget, purportedly for better control and management of the funding.

The move has triggered a widespread outcry, claiming that the move by the government is intended to interfere in the independence of the public service broadcaster, Thai PBS.

The public hearings will close on October 14, after which the secretariat of the parliament will submit a summary report to the prime minster for consideration.