BBC to close down shortwave transmissions from Thailand due to lack of licence renewal

The 20 years of operation of BBC in Thailand is ending its transmissions of shortwave as a result of failing to reach an agreement with the country’s military Government on the renewal of its operating licence.
The Nakhon Sawan site, which primarily served East Asia, will be closed due to the financial constraints faced by the broadcasting corporation, with 45 staff threatened by redundancy. Transmitters have been off the air since the beginning of the year, after the previous agreement with the Thai Government expired.
The BBC moved its East Asia relay station to Thailand from Hong Kong after the handover of the former British colony to China in 1997.
“We regret that we have not been able to reach an agreement with the Thai Government which would allow us to continue using this facility to bring accurate and impartial news to audiences in the region,” the BBC said in a statement. “We are continuing to develop other ways for people to access the BBC, including internet and mobile streaming, as well as FM radio and TV broadcasts.”