Thai PBS holds a Forum to gather Public Input for the on-going Director General Selection process

Thai PBS hosted a forum to gather opinions and increase engagement in the ongoing selection of its Director General. This event saw participation from a wide array of stakeholders, including Thai PBS employees, broadcasting media professionals, academicians, civil society networks, the Thai PBS Audience Council, independent producers, and the general public. For the first time, the forum was live-streamed across all Thai PBS online platforms, enabling broader participation and giving employees a chance to be involved as well.

Mr. Somkiat Tangkitvanich, Chairperson of the Selection Committee, addressed questions from the public regarding the necessity of public media in an era dominated by digital communication. Despite the proliferation of digital platforms where anyone can become a communicator, the forum focused on how Thai PBS should evolve under two primary issues:

• The current challenges facing the media landscape and the direction Thai PBS should take.
• The qualities and characteristics required in the new Thai PBS Director General.

"This forum reflects the spirit of public media in creating participation, showing the public that Thai PBS truly belongs to them. With the transparent selection process and a live broadcast of vision statements for the first time, this event has gathered invaluable opinions that should be considered by the 6 out of 23 candidates," stated Dr. Somkiat.

The forum also welcomed insightful contributions from a diverse range of public participants. Dr. Sikhares Sirakarn, an independent media scholar, emphasized that Thai PBS must take a leadership role in the media industry, especially with the expiration of TV licenses for most broadcasters in 2029. He warned that Thai PBS must prepare to maintain its relevance in the face of losing its income from digital terrestrial infrastructure services. The new Director General must be courageous and visionary, capable of coordinating with the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to strengthen Thai PBS’s role as a leading public broadcaster.

Supanee Chivathai, Director of the Parliament Radio and Television Station, pointed out the rising trend of sensationalized news, which challenges Thai PBS’s ability to compete for viewership. The new Director General, she noted, must focus on enhancing access to quality content and building the station's popularity. The ideal candidate should be politically neutral, adaptable, and able to clearly communicate Thai PBS’s role to the public.

Thayika Chanthep, Senior Innovation Promoter at the Institute of Innovation Science, stressed the importance of adapting to the rapid changes in media platforms. She noted Thai PBS’s progress in translating complex policies into accessible formats and encouraged further development to help the public better understand and engage with policies. In this era of innovation, she urged Thai PBS to adhere to media ethics and remain mindful of its societal impact.

The forum's feedback will be discussed at the selection committee meeting on May 1, 2025. The six candidates shortlisted to present their vision statements have been announced:

1. Nopporn Wonganant - Former Deputy Editor at The Bangkok Post
2. Assoc. Prof. Pattamawadee Pochnukul - Former Executive Director of the Office of Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI)
3. Ratthasart Kornsoot - Former Senior Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA)
4. Vanchai Tantivitayapitak - Former Senior Director of News at PPTV and Former Deputy Director General at Thai PBS
5. Apirak Hanpichitwanich - Former Deputy Director of News at JKN Best Life, Co. Ltd.
6. Atthaporn Limpanyalert - Former Deputy Secretary of the National Health Security Office (NHSO)

The candidates will present their vision statements to the selection committee, which will be broadcast live on May 12th, 2025, starting at 9 AM. Following this, the selection committee will submit its recommendations to the Board of Governors for consideration on May 16. The new Thai PBS Director General is set to assume office on July 24, 2025.

This marks the first time that the selection of the Thai PBS Director General will include a live broadcast of vision statements. This new element, alongside the more transparent selection process, adds a critical dimension to the transformation of Thai PBS as it navigates a rapidly changing media landscape.

The selected Director General will face significant challenges, including:

1. Leading Thai PBS through the post-television license era, transitioning to a digital platform.
2. Restructuring and cultivating a new organizational culture.
3. Developing income-generating strategies for long-term sustainability.
4. Enhancing the quality of news and programming to attract and retain an engaged audience on both TV and online platforms.
5. Expanding the audience base while preserving the public service role.
6. Fully utilizing the potential of public media to create positive societal change.

This open and transparent process marks a new chapter for Thai PBS as it aims to meet the needs of its diverse audience and contribute to a sustainable and innovative media environment in Thailand.

Click to view a record of the Thai PBS Director General selection public forum