Dr. Premsak Questions Thai PBS Procurement Transparency
Dr. Premsak questions Thai PBS over external documentary and article contracts totaling over 1.7 million Baht, demanding public accountability.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Dr. Premsak questions outsourcing content production despite internal staff availability.
- Highlights a 560,000 Baht contract for a 50th-anniversary documentary.
- Points out a 168,000 Baht article contract canceled after online backlash.
- Urges management to ensure transparency for the organization's annual tax-derived budget.
Dr. Premsak has called upon Thai PBS management to clarify various procurement projects, emphasizing that the public deserves answers regarding the hiring of external individuals or agencies to produce documentaries and content while the organization already possesses internal personnel, equipment, data, and production infrastructure.
Based on procurement announcements on the Thai PBS website, several notable cases were highlighted. On June 9, 2026, a specific-method contract was awarded to the Isan Education and Public Media Foundation to produce a 50th-anniversary October 6 documentary for 560,000 Baht, signed by Deputy Director Somchai Phutchanthorn. Additionally, on June 28, 2023, the organization had contracted 3344 Co., Ltd. to produce short clips and data visualizations for the 50th-anniversary October 14 commemoration worth 1 million Baht, signed by then-Deputy Director Somyot Kiat-aramkul.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Dr. Premsak stated that these budget figures require transparent public explanation regarding cost breakdowns, value for money, and the rationale behind choosing specific procurement methods over broad competitive bidding. He also raised the case of May 20, 2026, when the Thai PBS Digital Media Bureau announced a 168,000 Baht contract for former Deputy Director Anuphong Chaiyarith to write articles and analyses, which was later canceled after public criticism.
"Thai PBS is a public broadcaster funded by approximately 2 billion Baht annually from excise taxes on alcohol and tobacco, making higher standards of transparency essential to prove every baht is necessary and cost-effective."
Dr. Premsak
Procurement practices within public media organizations frequently draw public scrutiny because their primary funding comes from specific sin taxes. Independent oversight of specific-method contracts reflects corporate governance and accountability, ensuring that internal organizational resources are fully utilized before outsourcing tasks to external parties.
Regarding the canceled contract with Anuphong, Dr. Premsak questioned the nearly three-month delay between the initial announcement and the cancellation, while noting that internal whistleblowers have expressed workplace concerns, signaling a need for management to foster an open environment for internal auditing.
Source: Matichon Politics
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