Some 24 digital terrestrial TV channels and 11 OTT operators have already fulfilled the registration request of National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC). Other such as the US video streaming and social media giants, have been given 30 days to comply with the mandatory order, The Bangkok Post reports.
Under these plans, foreign OTT platforms are required to establish and register a local office in Thailand, which would make them liable to corporate income tax. The offices must be led by executives authorised to issue service directives and clarify any problems that emerge in Thailand.
Any OTT provider who misses the NBTC’s 22 July deadline for registration may have an advertising or other ban imposed on it to limit its revenue stream. However, the regulator has no intention to fine or shut down the local operations of those companies who fail to comply, for fear of inconveniencing users, says the daily newspaper.
The NBTC chairman Colonel Natee Sukonrat has previously said that major digital platform owners, such as Facebook and YouTube, have a responsibility to work with the NBTC to ensure that unsuitable content and illegal advertisements are not on their sites.
