Telecommunication Business Governance: A Case Study of Thailand’s Internet

Abstract

Content governance on the internet is a policy issue given attention by almost every government worldwide. Similarly, civil society and industrial sectors increasingly participate in the governance process for internet content. However, since the internet is highly dynamic media with many specific technological characteristics that are not facilitative to control, previous content governance models in other media, such as newspapers, radios, and television, have not been implemented effectively. Therefore, the researcher is interested in studying and analyzing telecommunication business governance in a case study of Thailand’s internet by using qualitative techniques, such as in-depth interviews or unstructured/semi-structured interviews. In addition, the researcher interviewed three groups of experts consisting of 13 administrators from the Ministry of Education, the Department of Education of Bangkok Metropolis Administration, and the academics involved to analyze and synthesize the overall findings. With regard to the preparation of a report of the findings, the research was reported with data, findings, and recommendations from the study in detail.

  In governing internet business in Thailand, the government sector has the intention to support broadband service development as a vital service equivalent to a basic public utility service for the public in order to have sufficient coverage at appropriate prices under free and fair competition. All Thais can fully access and benefit from broadband service development, which will help digitally reduce disparity and gaps in terms of geography and population groups, spread prosperity to all regions in the country.