Thailand’s Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS) has urged against political intervention in its funding model or in the role of the country’s public service media, as the ruling Bhumjaithai Party proposes a bill that has sparked concerns over media independence and freedom.

In its statement on Friday, Thai PBS said that the draft bill, which propose changes to the national broadcaster’s revenue structuring, directly affects the organisation’s independence.

“It [the independence] serves as a guarantee that the public has access to information and public spaces that are free from state, political or business influence,” it reads.

The remark came as Bhumjaithai’s legal eagle Suphachai Jaismut seeks to replace Thai PBS’s legally ringfenced funding source with an allocation from the annual fiscal budget, which is controlled each year by the political groupings in power at the time.

According to the 2008 Thai Public Broadcasting Service Act, Thai PBS is funded by an earmarked 1.5% share of taxes collected on sales and importation of liquor and tobacco.

The legally mandated funding is capped at two billion baht per fiscal year. Thai PBS also operates outside the direct control of any specific ministry but is subject to scrutiny by independent entities, such as the State Audit Office.

Suphachai said that the bill aims to “unify the nation’s fiscal system” and would effectively allow participation by parliament and the government in managing the money collected.

Critics fear that the proposed changes would provide a route for political pressure or influence to be exerted on Thai PBS’s coverage and neutrality.

Thai PBS said that concrete legal and institutional guarantees must be put in place to prevent the changes from being exploited for political gain and argues that the twin pillars of monetary discipline and public service media independence must both be protected.

“The public must have confidence that public service media operates independently, free from the influence or control of state power holders,” it said.

The draft is the subject of public hearings until October 14. It will then be proposed for Cabinet approval before being submitted to parliament for deliberation.

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He finally saw it 🥹

Chadchart Sittipunt is the most popular choice for Bangkok governor, with voters prioritising city issues like transport, safety, and cleanliness.

A recent Suan Dusit Poll has reaffirmed Chadchart Sittipunt as the most popular candidate for the upcoming Bangkok gubernatorial election, with voters expressing a preference for his approach to city management, particularly around issues like traffic, safety, and cleanliness.

The survey, conducted between May 6–8, 2026, polled 1,074 eligible voters in Bangkok via online and field surveys. Respondents were asked about their preferred Bangkok governor and which party they would support for the City Council.

Key findings: Voters prioritise practical city improvements

The poll shows that voters care deeply about improving their quality of life in the city, with the top five priorities being:

• Better mass transit and less traffic congestion (28.82%)
• Cleaner, more pedestrian-friendly streets (23.86%)
• Safer neighborhoods free from crime (18.10%)
• A non-flooding city (14.75%)
• A city with a strong economy (14.47%)

These results indicate a clear preference for practical, tangible improvements that would directly affect everyday life in the city.

Chadchart Sittipunt remains frontrunner

When asked which candidate they would prefer for the next Bangkok governor, the responses were overwhelmingly in favour of Chadchart Sittipunt:

• Chadchart Sittipunt: 56.70%
• Chaiwat Satawornwijit: 18.90%
• Undecided: 13.13%
• Mallika Boonmitrakul Mahasook: 5.78%
• Komsan Punwichatikul: 3.07%

Chadchart continues to dominate the race, benefiting from public satisfaction with his political record and the expectation that he can address the city's pressing issues. Meanwhile, other candidates trail behind with smaller support bases.

Voters opt for the People’s Party for City Council

In the race for the Bangkok City Council, the People’s Party emerged as the most popular choice, with 40.13% of respondents indicating their preference. Independent candidates came in second with 21.23%, while other parties such as the Democrat Party and Pheu Thai Party gathered only 7.91% each.

This reflects the growing influence of local political movements, with voters looking beyond traditional party lines for candidates who align with their views on city governance.

What do Bangkok voters want from their next governor?

Suan Dusit Poll Chairperson Dr Pornpan Buathong noted that Bangkok voters are not just focused on political image but are looking for practical solutions to everyday problems. The survey results clearly show that voters care most about improving the city's transport infrastructure, ensuring public safety, and tackling environmental issues like cleanliness and flooding.

Dr Ekanong Srisaan, Assistant Dean for Research and Quality Assurance at Suan Dusit University, echoed this point, adding that Bangkok voters expect their governor to address issues that impact their daily lives, such as affordable public transportation and reducing crime.