In the end, despite losing in court, officials scored a last-minute goal by buying the rights to broadcast all World Cup for everyone to watch for free.
The National Telecommunication and Broadcast Commission agreed to pay about THB420 million for the rights to broadcast all 64 matches on public channels.
Meanwhile, rights holder RS has said anyone who paid for their set-top box and feels cheated can receive a full refund.
Lieutenant General Chatudom Titthasiri, head of army-run Channel 5, which will now broadcast 38 matches, said the payment was justified as “happiness for the whole country is more important than money.”
“We hope that all Thais will be happy,” he told reporters.
The deal came as a relief to Thai football fans unable to watch the matches in bars and restaurants because of an overnight curfew in many areas, but the curfew is expected to be lifted tonight.
The time difference with Brazil means most matches will be played during the midnight-4am period when venturing outside can lead to arrest.
Since seizing power from a battered civilian administration on May 22, Thailand’s military has embarked on an extensive public relations campaign emphasising the need to “return happiness” to the people.
The public have so far been treated to free haircuts, concerts and even a song penned by the usually stern-faced army chief Prayuth Chanocha.
At the same time, authorities have cracked down on dissent, arresting anti-coup protesters and detaining key supporters of the ousted government.
Thailand has yet to heal a deep political rupture suffered in 2006 when billionaire former premier Thaksin Shinawatra was toppled in an earlier army coup.
Story: AFP, Photo: Govt. of Brazil
Related:
Junta seeks free World Cup after court sides with rights holder
RS threatens to block all World Cup broadcasts in Thailand
TrueVisions strikes deal to air World Cup
Court ruling ends free World Cup broadcasts in Thailand
Court: No free World Cup matches on TV
Reader Interactions