The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has fined several TV channels for allegedly screening content affecting public morals.
On 25 May 2017, the NBTC, Thailand’s national media regulator, announced it had fined two TV channels, MCOT HD and Amarin TV HD, 50,000 baht each in response to public complaints about programmes that dealt with superstitions involving the prediction of lottery numbers.
MCOT HD was fined a further 50,000 baht for a program allegedly “affecting public morals” or “causing serious spiritual deterioration” of the people.
The NBTC also fined Bright TV 50 000 baht for screening a programme that used rude language concerning inappropriate sexual relations “contrary to Thai traditions”.
All violated Article 37 of the 2008 Broadcasting and Television Businesses Act.
The NBTC formally requested the cooperation of other channels, including Channel 8, Thairath TV and Workpoint, in watching out for content that may be deceptive, predict lottery numbers or encourage superstition.
A report on Wake Up Talks, one of the programmes that was fined, on a road sign where the kilometre figures matched winning lottery numbers four times in a row
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