Television, Satellite & Radio Stations in Thailand

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Television, Satellite & Radio Stations in Thailand

There are three main television/video standards in use throughout the world:

• NTSC - used in the USA, Canada, Japan and some other countries
• PAL - used in most of Western Europe, Australasia and South Africa
• SECAM - used in France and Eastern Europe

The three systems are not compatible with each other. It is not possible to watch television on a NTSC or SECAM appliance, or to use DVD or video players configured for these systems. Multi-standard TV, DVD or video equipment will be able to play a PAL (or NTSC) camcorder, DVD player or games console.

The television transmission standard in Thailand is PAL B. This is different to the PAL I system used in the UK, so older televisions from the UK are unlikely to work in Thailand. Older NTSC televisions from the USA will also not work in Thailand. Many newer TVs are multi-system and can accept PAL or NTSC signals. The television's user manual should include this information.

Television in Thailand

There are six terrestrial TV stations that are controlled by various government agencies, including the Royal Thai Army and MCOT. A TV licence is not needed. There are, to date, no firm plans to introduce digital broadcasting technology, although it has been investigated.

Terrestrial TV channels

The terrestrial channels broadcast predominantly in Thai. Some have small sections of English-language programming or with some TVs the language can be changed to English for certain programmes.

• Channel 3
• Channel 5 (in Thai only)
• Channel 7
• Modernine (Channel 9)
• NBT (National Broadcasting Service of Thailand): with some daily transmissions in English
• Thai PBS (Thai Public Broadcasting Service)

Cable and satellite channels

The biggest satellite TV provider is True Visions UBC, which has a large number of channels broadcasting in English available with different packages of varying costs depending on the channels chosen.

Most programmes are aired in English and a monthly programme guide is sent to the subscriber's home address with a full list of channels and schedules for the month.

True Visions and many other independent companies operate cable TV channels in Thailand in a variety of languages.

True Visions has a wide selection of channels with movies, series, documentaries, music, entertainment, including BBC Entertainment, National Geographic, Star Movies, HBO, BBC World, News 24, Star Sports, TVB, Animal Planet, CNN, Bloomberg, Cartoon Network and many more.

• True Visions 
  Tel: 02 725 2525
  e-mail
  Website

To subscribe to True Visions, copies of your passport and House Registration Document (Tabian Baan) or the land title (Chanote) or the Condo title deed are required. If it is a rental property the landlord has to provide copies of their ID card and House Registration Document.

In Pattaya and Jomtien there are three main cable companies providing some programmes in the English language including local news, lifestyle features, movies and some sports.

• Sophon Cable TV Pattaya: The schedule is published on the Pattaya Mail website
  Tel: 038 410 591
• Banglamung TV 
  Tel: 038 367 497-8
• Jomtien Cable TV
  Tel: 038 232 444

Radio in Thailand

Thailand has hundreds of AM and FM radio stations controlled and sometimes owned by various government agencies. Some are national stations that can be listened to all over Thailand but others are local to towns or provinces. Most broadcast in Thai language although some towns in Thailand have a number of stations that broadcast in Thai and English. Most local stations can also be listened to online. 

Radio stations in Bangkok

• Wave FM 88 Bangkok: An international radio station broadcasting in English, with British and American presenters and DJs. 
• Virgin Hitz 95.5 FM: Latest pop songs from Thailand, UK and USA
• Virgin Soft 103 FM: Thai and English love songs
• Easy FM 105.5: New and classic easy-listening Thai and English songs

• MET 107: Radio station with some English language broadcasting. News, weather, lifestyle and more

Radio stations in Pattaya

• Yes2Day: Local information and news in English with easy listening music

• Pattaya 105 FM: 24 hour radio station playing classic hits and latest chart music. International news bulletin every hour

• 97 Pattaya Tourist Station: Mostly Thai music with some international hits and a little English language

Radio on the Internet: English-language stations online

Many international radio stations are available streamed live on the Internet. Typically Realplayer or Windows Media Player will be needed. Both can be downloaded.

• Radio Locator (worldwide radio listing)

Alternatively, select one of the stations below for access to live radio:

• To reach links to any of the BBC Radio stations: Click here
• BBC World Service
• CNN
• Voice of America
• Wave FM 88 Bangkok: An international radio station broadcasting in English, with British and American presenters and DJs. 
• Virgin Radio
• Radio Bangkok

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