Thailand Business Directory

It seems when even Laos and Cambodia bring their countries into the future with 3G technology, Thailand seems determined to keep their citizens in the Stone Age. While Laos and Cambodia citizens and business investors have enjoyed 3G high speed mobile technology for about 2 years now, Thailand keeps stalling and stalling and just when everyone thought that 3G may be arriving due to the scheduled 3G license auction that was due to start 20 September 2010, CAT Telecom filed a lawsuit to stop the 3G auction stating that the National Telecom Commission (NTC) had no authority to hold the auction as  there was suppose to be a new regulatory authority called the National Broadcasting and Telecom Commission (NBTC) set up according to the new 2007 constitution installed after the military coup. CAT also stated that if 3G was introduced now that they would stand to lose money as customers may migrate to the new 3G system. Well in most of the world that is called progress, and something that seems to keep getting stalled in Thailand. Now TOT Telecom has joined CAT filing a similar lawsuit to stop the auction after the Administrative Court ruled in favor of CAT. See: Administrative Court Rules in Cat’s Favor for the full Bangkok Post news story.

 The NTC filed an appeal to try to hold theThailand 3G auction on the scheduled date but chances of that happening in time may be very slim. Col. Natee Sukonrat, NTC commissioner and head of the 3G project has stated that the 3G auction was in the interest of the people to provide them a better living condition while CAT sought the injunction to stop the auction to protect it's own interests. We wish Col. Natee Sukonrat the best luck with the appeal and the utmost thanks for working for the Thai people to have updated communications and a better future.