Thai satellite operator Thaicom is reportedly considering uprooting and moving to another country in Asia, due to ongoing concerns over political risk.
The company has launched a review into the benefits and drawbacks of relocating its satellite hub to one of the other 13 Asia-Pacific countries reached by its satellite footprint, the Bangkok Postreported, citing a source close to the company.
The review is reportedly motivated by the fact that Thai regulator NBTC took six months to approve Thaicom's request to operate a new broadcasting satellite without having to apply for a new license.
While the NBTC has now approved the proposal to allow Thaicom to operate the upcoming Thaicom 8 satellite under its existing license, the regulator was reluctant to do so in the face of the recent anti-government protests.
NBTC officials were reportedly concerned that protesters would fear that the Thaicom 8 decision would allow the operator to continue to monopolize Thailand's satellite industry.
Thaicom was founded by ousted former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and was sold to Singapore's Temasek Holdings in 2006.
Thaicom's 30-year concession agreement with Thailand's ICT industry is due to expire in seven years.