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.