Thai PBS reaffirms our commitment to being a public media organization centered on citizens, prioritizing public interest and cost-effectiveness. We aim to enhance our role in fostering a quality media ecosystem while empowering citizens to create an informed, active society ready to adapt to change.
The Thai Public Broadcasting Service (THAI PBS) celebrated ‘17 Years of Thai PBS - Empowering Citizens’ on January 15, 2025, at the headquarters on Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road, Bangkok, showcasing Thai PBS's dedication to being a public broadcaster that truly serves the people, and upholds public benefit. It emphasized Thai PBS's mission to amplify positive energy, connect diverse voices across society, and develop a sustainable, high-quality media ecosystem to drive Thai society forward effectively, inclusively, and sustainably.
Dr. Komatra Chuengsatiansup, Chairperson of Thai PBS Board of Governors, and Dr. Wilasinee Phiphitkul, Thai PBS Director-General, Highlight Thai PBS's Role in Empowering Citizens and Building a Resilient Society.
Dr. Komatra Chuengsatiansup, Chairperson of the Thai Public Broadcasting Service (THAI PBS) Board of Governors, emphasized that Thai PBS continues to advance as a public media organization centered on citizens. With policies prioritizing public interest and value for resources, Thai PBS aims to contribute to the development of a Society that is Informed, Active, and Resilient Society. Beyond delivering news and entertainment, Thai PBS strives to be a transformative force driving positive societal change.
Associate Professor Dr. Wilasinee Phiphitkul, Director-General of Thai PBS, highlighted that since its establishment in 2008 as Thailand’s first public broadcaster, rather than just a provider of news or entertainment, Thai PBS has been dedicated to positioning itself as a public service media organization committed to fostering a society rooted in quality and morality through comprehensive citizen empowerment.
This mission is realized through initiatives such as the Citizen Journalist Network, which now boasts over 7,000 members and more than 600 independent citizen producers. Thai PBS has expanded this into a robust Local PBS Network, encompassing over 30 regional networks nationwide. Furthermore, the Audience Council, an essential mechanism for public engagement, has grown through seven iterations, holding over 1,000 public forums nationwide to gather feedback and foster dialogue.
Thai PBS also continues to empower citizens through content creation and programs that ignite ideas, encourage public participation, and drive positive social change. These efforts underscore Thai PBS’s commitment to catalyzing a quality, informed, and resilient society.
"Additionally, Thai PBS has developed platforms and tools designed to provide quality access to information and serve as collaborative spaces for citizen communication and knowledge sharing," said the Director-General of Thai PBS. "Our focus is on ensuring that all groups—whether children, youth, the elderly, or vulnerable populations—can access accurate, reliable, and easily understandable information. These efforts promote equality in news access and foster mutual understanding within society. Examples include initiatives like Policy Watch, C-Site, ALTV, and Thai PBS Verify."
The THAI PBS Director-General further stated that in 2025, Thai PBS will continue advancing its mission as a public broadcaster to empower citizens and drive the development of a quality and ethical society. Key objectives include strengthening Citizen Journalism and the Local PBS Ecosystem, fostering spaces for participatory policymaking to advance Deliberative Democracy, and using AI tools to enhance digital content service and platforms to ensure reliable access to information and adaptive learning in a rapidly changing world. Additionally, Thai PBS will collaborate to cultivate a quality media ecosystem that nurtures an Informed, Active, and Resilient Society.
At the "17 Years of Thai PBS: Empowering Citizens" event, innovative approaches showcasing Thai PBS's commitment to empowering citizens in the digital age were presented. These included:
Locals: A media innovation for empowering local communities, presented by Somkiat Juntursima, Director of the Public Engagement and Network Department.
Policy Watch: A tool enabling all sectors to drive the nation forward collaboratively through monitoring, examining, and participating in public policies, introduced by Nattaya Waewweerakupt, Director of the Social Agenda and Public Policy Communication Center.
Thai PBS AI: An innovation employing AI and data analytics to provide accurate, reliable, and easily understandable information, presented by Kanokporn Prasitphol, Director of the Digital Media Department.
“Thai PBS is more than a platform for reporting facts; it connects diverse ideas and voices across society. We remain committed to empowering citizens and creating a quality media ecosystem, forming a moral society's foundation. Together with all sectors, we are determined to build an informed, active, and adaptable society, ready to embrace change,” the Director-General concluded.
