National Broadcasting Services of Thailand
National Broadcasting Services of Thailand is Thailand's government-operated public broadcasting service, providing television, radio, online media and international programming.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
National Broadcasting Services of Thailand, commonly known as NBT, is the broadcasting arm of Thailand's Government Public Relations Department, a division of the Thai government. It operates a broad public-information media system rather than a conventional commercial brand. Its activities include terrestrial television, regional television services, radio, satellite distribution, online video, websites and social-media channels. The organization is headquartered in Bangkok and serves audiences throughout Thailand, while some services are intended for overseas, ASEAN and wider Asian audiences. NBT's television operation is centered on NBT 2HD, the free-to-air service formerly identified as TVT11 or TV11. The organization developed television facilities outside Bangkok before establishing a Bangkok service. Regional broadcasting plans were initiated in the 1960s, followed by technical and infrastructure development in several provinces. A station in Songkhla received technical equipment through a contract with the British company Pye in 1966, while the Khon Kaen facility was affected by a fire in 1977. These regional activities reflected NBT's public-service and national-information role, particularly its effort to reach viewers beyond the capital. NBT began broadcasting in Bangkok in 1985 with assistance from a loan provided through the Japan International Cooperation Agency. The Bangkok service later became associated with TVT11, which began broadcasting on 11 July 1988 after TV9, now known as Modernine TV, was divided into two channels. The channel was initially oriented toward viewers in rural and provincial areas. Its programming has included news, government information, educational material, cultural programming and general-interest television. As a government-controlled broadcaster, NBT operates within public authorities' editorial and content framework, including restrictions on sexual and violent content. The television service underwent a major identity and operating change in 2008. It began 24-hour broadcasting on 1 April of that year, expanding its schedule to include late-night audiences, and was restructured and renamed NBTTV during the same period. The service later became associated with the NBT 2HD identity. Since the introduction of Thailand's digital terrestrial logical channel numbering in 2014, its principal digital service has been carried as channel 2. It has also been distributed through satellite platforms, including TrueVisions, and through regional digital terrestrial services. NBT's radio division is Radio Thailand. Radio Thailand traces its origins to 25 February 1930 and currently comprises five AM stations and six FM stations, together with an international shortwave World Service launched on 20 October 1938. Radio and television operations share NBT's institutional public-information mission and broadcast from the organization's Bangkok headquarters. The service has also maintained regional variants for Thailand's North, Northeast, Central and South, allowing national programming to be complemented by regionally focused content. NBT World was launched in 2013 as a 24-hour English-language television service aimed at Thai, ASEAN and Asian communities outside the country. It was distributed internationally through cable and satellite and, from October 2022, became available through the station's online page rather than through the same broad conventional distribution model. NBT World is owned by the National News Bureau of Thailand within the Government Public Relations Department. Today, NBT functions as a multi-platform state public broadcaster. Its importance lies in nationwide reach, official announcements, public information and regional representation rather than advertising-led audience competition. Its portfolio combines legacy terrestrial and radio infrastructure with digital terrestrial transmission, satellite availability and online distribution.
History
NBT is a Thai government broadcasting organization administered through the Government Public Relations Department. Its institutional history combines the development of Radio Thailand, the expansion of government television outside Bangkok and the later integration of terrestrial, satellite and online media. Radio Thailand was established on 25 February 1930. It later developed an international dimension through the launch of a foreign-language shortwave World Service on 20 October 1938. The radio division now includes five AM and six FM stations, in addition to international broadcasting. Radio Thailand remains a central channel for public announcements, news and government communication. The television operation developed initially through regional infrastructure. NBT's regional television plans began in 1962, reflecting the objective of providing national broadcasting coverage beyond Bangkok. A Songkhla station received technical equipment under a contract awarded to the British company Pye in 1966. The Khon Kaen station was damaged by fire in 1977, illustrating the practical difficulties involved in building a nationwide broadcast network. Regional stations continued to play an important role before NBT established a major service in the capital. In 1985, the television organization began broadcasting in Bangkok with financial assistance from a Japan International Cooperation Agency loan. The service became known as TVT11 and began broadcasting on 11 July 1988, following the division of TV9, now Modernine TV, into two channels. TVT11 was initially designed in significant part for rural and provincial audiences. Its programming included government information, news, education and general public-service content. Educational programs were carried on the channel between 1988 and 1999, at times alternating with TV9. From 1994, changes to TV9's daytime schedule affected the distribution of educational programming, leaving ETV content on TV11 during parts of the day. The television service was reorganized in 2008. On 1 April it began 24-hour broadcasting, allowing it to serve late-night viewers and use a continuous schedule. During the same year, the service was renamed NBTTV following a restructuring associated with the Government Public Relations Department. The channel later became known as NBT 2HD. It has been distributed through terrestrial networks, satellite services and digital systems. TrueVisions has carried the service on its direct-broadcast satellite platform, while the digital terrestrial channel numbering system introduced in 2014 placed the service on channel 2. NBT also operates regional channels for four broad areas of Thailand: the North, Northeast, Central region and South. These regional variants use digital terrestrial distribution and allow locally relevant material to complement national programming. The main television and radio operations are based at NBT's headquarters in Din Daeng, Bangkok. The organization expanded its international television presence with NBT World, launched in 2013 as a 24-hour English-language service. It was designed for Thai, ASEAN and Asian communities and was distributed through international cable and satellite systems. From 1 October 2022, the service was available through the station's online page. NBT World is associated with the National News Bureau of Thailand, another unit within the Government Public Relations Department. NBT's present model is therefore a state public-broadcasting network rather than a commercial media conglomerate. Its services cover official news, public information, education, cultural material, regional programming and international communication. The transition from analog television and radio infrastructure to digital terrestrial, satellite and online distribution has broadened its delivery channels while preserving its role as an instrument of government communication.
- 2022
NBT World becomes available through the station's online page
[1]From 1 October 2022, NBT World was available through the station's online page.
- 2014
Main digital terrestrial service moves to channel 2
[1]NBT's principal digital terrestrial television service adopted logical channel 2.
- 2013
NBT World launches
[1]NBT World began as an international 24-hour English-language television service.
- 2008
Television service becomes 24-hour and is restructured
[1]The television service introduced 24-hour broadcasting on 1 April and was restructured and renamed NBTTV.
- 1988
TVT11 starts broadcasting
[1]TVT11 began broadcasting on 11 July after the division of TV9 into two channels.
- 1985
Bangkok television broadcasting begins
[1]The television service began broadcasting in Bangkok with support from a JICA loan.
- 1962
Regional television expansion is planned
[1]NBT initiated plans to establish television service in Thailand's regions.
- 1938
International shortwave service begins
[1]Radio Thailand launched its World Service on 20 October 1938.
- 1930
Radio Thailand is established
[1]Radio Thailand, the radio division of NBT, was established on 25 February 1930.
Products and positioning
A nationwide government public broadcaster focused on official information, news, education, culture, regional coverage and public-service communication across television, radio and digital platforms.
Free-to-air television channel · 1988
NBT 2HD
NBT 2HD is NBT's principal free-to-air television service and the successor to the TVT11 identity. It carries news, official information, education, culture and general-interest programming. The service broadcasts nationally through digital terrestrial infrastructure and is also available through selected satellite and online distribution systems. It began 24-hour broadcasting in 2008 and occupies digital terrestrial logical channel 2.
Radio network · 1930
Radio Thailand
Radio Thailand is NBT's radio division. Its current network includes five AM stations and six FM stations, serving national and regional audiences with news, public information, cultural material and other programming. Its historical service began in 1930 and includes an international shortwave World Service launched in 1938.
Regional television services
NBT regional channels
NBT operates regional television variants for Thailand's North, Northeast, Central region and South. These services provide regionally relevant programming alongside the national NBT broadcasting structure and are distributed through digital terrestrial channel arrangements.
International English-language television service · 2013
NBT World
NBT World is an English-language international service launched in 2013 for Thai, ASEAN and Asian communities. It was initially distributed through international cable and satellite platforms and later became available through the station's online page. The service is associated with the National News Bureau of Thailand within the Government Public Relations Department.
Brand decisions
2022
NBT World shifts toward online availabilityStrategyBackground
NBT World had previously been distributed through international cable and satellite services.
Action taken
From 1 October 2022, NBT World was available through the station's online page.
Aftermath
The change placed greater emphasis on online access for the international English-language service.
2014
NBT adopts digital terrestrial logical channel 2Generation changeBackground
Thailand introduced logical channel numbering for digital terrestrial television.
Action taken
NBT's main digital terrestrial television service was assigned channel 2.
Aftermath
The channel position became part of the NBT 2HD identity in Thailand's digital television environment.
2008
Television service adopts 24-hour broadcasting and the NBTTV identityStrategyBackground
The former TVT11 television operation was restructured as part of the development of a more continuous national public-broadcasting schedule.
Action taken
NBT began 24-hour broadcasting on 1 April 2008 and was renamed NBTTV during the restructuring.
Aftermath
The change expanded the service's daily availability and preceded its later NBT 2HD branding.
Recent events
- 2014
NBT adopts digital terrestrial channel 2 position[1]
Product generation
Following the introduction of Thailand's digital terrestrial logical channel numbering, the main NBT television service was carried on channel 2.
- 2013
NBT World launches as an international English-language channel[1]
Product launch
NBT World launched as a 24-hour English-language television service for Thai, ASEAN and Asian communities, using international cable and satellite distribution.
- 2008
NBT television service moves to 24-hour broadcasting[1]
Product generation
The television service began round-the-clock broadcasting on 1 April 2008 and was restructured and renamed NBTTV during the same year.
- 1988
TVT11 begins broadcasting[1]
Product launch
TVT11 began broadcasting on 11 July 1988 after the division of TV9 into two channels, establishing the service that later developed into NBT's principal television channel.
- 1985
NBT begins Bangkok television broadcasting[1]
Product launch
The television service began broadcasting in Bangkok with support from a Japan International Cooperation Agency loan, expanding NBT's reach beyond its earlier regional operations.
- 1938
Radio Thailand launches international World Service[1]
Product launch
Radio Thailand launched an international shortwave service on 20 October 1938, extending Thailand's official broadcasting to overseas audiences.
- 1930
Radio Thailand begins broadcasting[1]
Other
The radio service that became Radio Thailand was established on 25 February 1930, providing the historical foundation for NBT's radio operations.
Sources2 sources
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