Supachai explains Thai PBS law amendment and public fund accountabilit

Matichon•Politics•19d ago

Reader Briefing

Supachai Jaisamut clarifies that proposed amendments to the Thai PBS law aim to align funding with state financial discipline rather than controlling media content.

•Supachai Jaisamut proposed amending laws for Thai PBS and three other organizations on October 3, 2026.
•The proposal seeks to change funding sources from earmarked taxes on alcohol and tobacco to the annual budget system.
•Six media professional organizations expressed concerns that these changes could impact the independence of Thai PBS.
•Supachai Jaisamut asserts that financial transparency and media independence can coexist.

Overview

•On October 3, 2026, Supachai Jaisamut posted a clarification on Facebook regarding the independence of media and responsibility for public funds.
•Six media professional organizations issued a statement expressing concern over proposed amendments to the Thai PBS law.
•Supachai Jaisamut proposed the changes to align with the State Financial and Fiscal Discipline Act of 2018, which generally prohibits earmarked taxes for specific agencies.
•The proposed amendment for Thai PBS would cancel the 1.5% funding from alcohol and tobacco taxes and replace it with the annual expenditure budget.
•Supachai Jaisamut stated that the proposal is not intended to dissolve organizations, cancel missions, or interfere with editorial content.
•Supachai Jaisamut clarified that the same financial principles are being applied to the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, the Elderly Fund, and the National Sports Development Fund to avoid targeting any single entity.
•The four draft amendments are currently in the process of public hearing for feedback and further refinement.

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Key Quotes

Supachai Jaisamut

"I propose to change the financial system, not to cancel the mission."

ผมเสนอให้เปลี่ยนระบบการเงิน ไม่ใช่ยกเลิกภารกิจ

Key Entities

Person

Supachai Jaisamut(ศุภชัย ใจสมุทร)ℹ️

A list MP and Chairman of the Legal Affairs Division of the Bhumjaithai Party.

Organization

Bhumjaithai Party(พรรคภูมิใจไทย)ℹ️

The political party to which Supachai Jaisamut belongs.

Thai PBS(ไทยพีบีเอส)ℹ️

The Thai Public Broadcasting Service, a public media organization subject to proposed funding law amendments.

Thai Health Promotion Foundation(สสส.)

An organization whose funding law is proposed for amendment alongside Thai PBS.

Elderly Fund(กองทุนผู้สูงอายุ)

A fund whose funding law is proposed for amendment alongside Thai PBS.

National Sports Development Fund(กองทุนพัฒนาการกีฬาแห่งชาติ)

A fund whose funding law is proposed for amendment alongside Thai PBS.

Law

State Financial and Fiscal Discipline Act(พระราชบัญญัติวินัยการเงินการคลังของรัฐ)

A law enacted in 2018 that sets principles for state tax collection and expenditure.