The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is threatening to file criminal charges against people found committing fraud and colluding in the distribution of set-top box coupons under the subsidy scheme.
Secretary-general Takorn Tantasith said procedures for distributing digital TV coupons had been well designed to hinder possible fraudulent actions by distributors, set-top box makers and coupon receivers.
The coupon subsidy is aimed at boosting the nation's transition to the digital platform. Each coupon is valued at 690 baht and limited to one per household.
The coupons have a six-month validity and cannot be refunded after the expiry date.
Mr Takorn said set-top box importers must present their bill of lading from the Customs Department to the NBTC to clarify their imports before receiving registered stickers from the regulator to be stuck on their boxes.
Local set-top box producers must show their tax invoices for NBTC approval.
"NBTC officers will join the police for random checks on the set-top box distributors after distribution commences," Mr Takorn said.
"The number of coupons redeemed must be equal to the number of set-top boxes made or imported by each distributor."
The NBTC has warned people not to collude with set-top box distributors by swapping their coupons in exchange for money. Box distributors will start their exchange service by Oct 20.
In the first phase, the regulator will distribute 4.6 million coupons to households in 21 provinces via Thailand Post's mailing service on Oct 10, reaching each household by Oct 14.
Provinces covered in the first phase include Bangkok, Nakhon Ratchasima, Chiang Mai, Songkhla, Rayong, Ubon Ratchathani, Surat Thani, Sing Buri, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani and Sukhothai.
Viewers in 22 other provinces will gradually get their coupons, while the remaining households are set to receive them in 2015 and 2016 in the second phase. The NBTC predicts 20% of the overall 22.9 million households will not use the coupons.
Previously, Mr Takorn said the regulator was set to spend 8 billion baht on the coupon scheme this year, with the money coming from the first payment worth 11.9 billion baht made by digital TV licence holders. Set-top boxes have a two-year warranty.
Separately, RS International Broadcasting and Sport Management yesterday filed a criminal charge against Col Natee Sukonrat, chairman of the NBTC's broadcasting committee, accusing him of unfair treatment over the 2014 Fifa World Cup rights.
RS said the "must-have" rule caused it to lose opportunity and reputation.