NBTC launches public hearing regarding the proposed merger of TRUE and DTAC on May 9, 2022

Thailand’s telecom regulator (NBTC) has opened the invitation to a public hearing on the proposed merger between the two telecom operators, TRUE and DTAC.

The public hearing will take place on May 9, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the Office of the NBTC, where relevant business and industry groups, academics and members of the public can attend the hearing regarding the proposed TRUE DTAC merger.

Businesses and related industries can register and attend the event, as well as express their opinions to the NBTC.

The general public can watch and chat via NBTC’s Facebook Live and the NBTC's website (which sounds more like a public listening than hearing).

After the hearing session, the NBTC office will remain open for comments from everyone via the email: merger@nbtc.go.th - Comments has to be submitted before 12 May 2022.

For the 2nd focus group (academic group) and the 3^rd group (consumer group and the general public), the NBTC will inform soon on the schedule.

More information available here

Registration link

Link to NBTC's Facebook Live.The public hearing is in line with the agreed agenda items, regarding the proposed merger, at the new NBTC board’s first official meeting (April 27, 2022).

At the meeting, the new board approved the following action points:

1. Appoint sub-committees

It was agreed to appoint four sub-committees to study and analyze impact and matters in various fields regarding the TRUE DTAC merger, namely:

- A Legal sub-committee,
- A Consumer Protection & Civil Rights sub-committee,
- A Technology sub-committee and,
- An Economics sub-committee.

2. Organize a Focus Group meeting (Public Hearing)

In addition to appointing four sub-committees. The NBTC board also agreed to convene a Focus Group meeting (public hearing) to exchange views from the:

- Business sector and Related industries,
- Academics and Consumer groups and,
- The general public.

3. Assign a Working Group

It was also agreed to setup a Working Group, at the office of the NBTC together with both local and international independent consultants to study the economical and social impacts.Yozzo's comment and official submission to the public hearing on the proposed merger between TRUE and DTAC (PDF)