The Thai government's executive branch, according to a media advocate, does not have the mandate to shut down community radio stations, media reports said.

Supinya Klangnarong, deputy chairman of the Campaign for Popular Media Reform (CPMR), said only the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) is empowered by law to close down broadcast stations.

"The Nation" said Supinya's statement was in reaction to a pronouncement from PM's Office Minister Satit Wangnongtaey on January 28 that he has asked the Public Relations Department's broadcasting sub-committee to consider taking legal action against community radios that broadcast political messages. The department is directly under the PM's Office.

According to Satit, there are some 7,000 community radio stations around the country. Many of this, he said, air programs that allegedly sow political divisiveness. He has even identified five such stations located in Chiangmai, Lamphun, Udon Thani and

Bangkok. Most of the community radio stations are in provinces known as bailiwicks of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra.

Up to the time of the Surayud Chulanont government in the aftermath of the 2006 coup, the executive branch could regulate media through the Public Relations Department. However, Supinya said the new Constitution and relevant laws now prohibit this practice.

She said Articles 45 and 47 of the Constitution guarantee media Freedom, while the Frequency and Radio Television Allocation Organization Act of 2000 grants the NTC sole authority to shut down Broadcast media outlets.