Chuan orders probe into cable monopoly

Chuan orders probe into cable monopoly

BANGKOK (AP): Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai has ordered the
Consumer Protection Board to investigate Thailand's sole cable
television operator to see if its monopoly violates the
constitution, The Nation newspaper reported yesterday.

United Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) became the lone cable
provider when International Broadcasting Corporation and United
Television Corporation merged two months ago.

Chuan is also considering purging management of the Mass
Communications Organization of Thailand for approving the merger,
The Nation reported.

UBC is owned by Thaksin Shinawatra, a billionaire who recently
formed a political party to challenge Chuan's Democrat Party, and
Dhanin Chearavanont, chairman of Charoen Pokphand, an agro-
industrial conglomerate which reportedly contributed heavily to
the New Aspiration Party of ex-PM Chavalit Yongchaiyudh.