Looks like iTV is no longer 'Independent'

Packpao

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From BBC News Online

Thailand TV station taken over

The Thai government has announced that it will take over the country's only main independent TV station, iTV, after it failed to pay unpaid fees.

The station was once owned by ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra, who sold it to Singapore-based firm Temasek in 2006.

The broadcaster had until Tuesday to pay nearly 100bn baht ($2.9bn) in fines and unpaid fees, after losing a legal battle.

But iTV had already admitted it had no hope of finding the money required.

The station - which has no links with the British broadcasting network of the same name - will be shut down temporarily from Wednesday.

The takeover was widely expected after the government announced last week that it would terminate iTV's licence if it failed to meet Tuesday's payment deadline.

"The iTV station will be shut down from 7 March until there is clarity on legal issues," said Dhipawadee Meksawan, a minister at the prime minister's office.

Shin Corp, which was founded by Mr Thaksin and held a 53% stake in iTV, was bought last year by the Singapore-based firm Temasek.

It's just a shame that the British government doesn't intervene and shut down our own ITV. I can't remember the last time we watched anything it has to offer. Premium rate phone-ins, anyone?

Champions League ..... :P

We were watching ITV Thailand when all the news broke!!
I must say I am not surprised that they are being taken off air, Taksin allowed them to owe $2.9 Million in unpaid taxes and licence fees when he was in office, i think he owned about 53% at the time. It was interesting to see all the station demonstrating live on air.

quote:

Shin Corp, which was founded by Mr Thaksin and held a 53% stake in iTV, was bought last year by the Singapore-based firm Temasek.

In fact, ITV was founded by the Nation group after The Black day in May 1992 as all medias was controled. Later, the Nation group lost money in this business while the country was governed by Democratic party.

The manager group the business is owned by Sonthi Limthongkul was very success at that time as well in 1992. But the fighting between Manager group and Nation group during leading the country by Democratic party. The Nation group was biggest and fab media by goverment support than Manager. Thats why, Sonthi supported Thaksin's goverment in early year and agains him later because of the benefit by using illegal way. Thaksin could not response him and Sonthi has targeted him as biggest enemy.

When ITV business was in the bad situation, Thaksin bought this business before forming Thai Rak Thai and won the massive votes in 1997.

The military goverment try to use this point attracted Thaksin again as they have been done for 6 months now. If they can cath ITV, this is big gift for Sonthi who is waiting to control afer ousting Thaksin by his provocation.

Well, wait and see. Sorayuth said sorry to the public and he is hero now for saving ITV. That is the way to win people heart.????