TV Malayu, a satellite television station financially supported by the state, will be launched Thursday in Yala province to broadcast news in Malay.
The satellite-based station, with the support of the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre (SBPAC), will serve as a source of public media for locals in the far South, the Isra news agency said.
The station is aimed at creating a better understanding between the state and residents and will offer a wide range of news and information in Malay on education, religion, social issues and economics.
Pol Col Tawee Sodsong, director of the SBPAC, signed an order last Wednesday to set up a broadcasting panel to oversee new television and radio stations to be operated in the deep South.
The panel is led by Pol Lt Gen Chamroon Den-udom, chairman of the Southern Islamic Foundation.
TV Malayu or TMTV will be broadcast via a C-band satellite as well as on radio.
During the initial phase, it will broadcast a single half-hour programme daily from 8pm to 8.30pm. The station plans 24-hour broadcasts around this time next year.
The SBPAC has set aside 20 million baht for running the television station, Isra said.
Surin Pitsuwan, secretary-general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and Chaturon Chaisaeng, former deputy prime minister in the now dissolved Thai Rak Thai Party, have been invited to deliver special lectures during a programme Thursday.
They will speak about ways to restore peace in the troubled region.
SBPAC deputy secretary-general Piya Kijthavorn said both television and radio stations broadcasting in Malay have been on air since Tuesday before the official launch Thursday at Rajabhat Yala University.
‘‘Local people are encouraged to participate in the management of the stations.
With their participation, locals will be proud of their own stations,’’ he said.
The SBPAC has assigned the broadcasting panelto overseethe stations. Most panel members are from the private sector while the SBPAC serves as a sponsor, Mr Piya said.
Meanwhile, Border Patrol Police chief Likhit Sutthapinthu has instructed all border patrol units in the far South to increase patrols in areas prone to violent attacks as New Year celebrations continue in a number of localities.
Pol Maj Gen Likhit issued the orders during his visit to Narathiwat province Wednesday to give his moral support to border patrol police.
He praised border patrol police in Sungai Kolok district for their community relations work in strife-torn communities.