NBTC orders dismantling of antenna towers near Tak border
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has mandated mobile networks to dismantle 24 antenna towers located within 50 metres of the Tak province border by February 24. Antennas within 200 metres must reduce transmission power and height to a maximum of 15 metres.
On February 6, the Facebook page of Sorayuth Suthassanachinda, a well-known news presenter, reported these measures. This action aims to prevent the illegal repositioning of antennas towards neighbouring countries. Antennas within 3,500 metres should not exceed a height of 30 metres to avoid signal overflow.
Tairat Wiriyatsirikul, acting NBTC Secretary General, along with senior officials, inspected the adjustments of mobile signal towers in areas such as Ban Wang Kaew, opposite Shwe Kokko City, and Ban Wang Pha in Mae Ramat district, Tak province. This inspection has been ongoing since mid-2024.
Wiriyatsirikul highlighted that NBTC officials, including those from Region 3, are overseeing mobile signal tower adjustments at the border of Mae Ramat district.
The commission has issued strict directives to all mobile service providers with towers within 50 metres of the border in Mae Ramat, Mae Sot, and Phop Phra districts of Tak province.
These towers, totalling 24, must be dismantled by February 24, preventing antennas from being redirected towards neighbouring countries. If illegal antenna installations are detected, the NBTC will immediately revoke the operating licence.
For towers within 200 metres of the border, transmission power and antenna height must be reduced to no more than 15 metres. For towers within 3,500 metres, a height limit of 30 metres is imposed.
From now on, requests to install towers in border areas will not be approved unless proof is provided that the area is densely populated, in which case a height limit of 10 metres applies. These measures ensure that mobile signals do not cross into neighbouring territories, reported KhaoSod.
“We are confident that our measures will be stricter but will not inconvenience Thai citizens. The NBTC’s actions address issues of signal interference caused by individuals misusing services intended for public benefit, impacting national interests.”
Over the next three months, NBTC central and regional offices will intensively monitor signal towers along national borders to collaborate with various agencies in reducing the issue of call centres. This border signal inspection has been ongoing since mid-2024.
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