From www.bangkokpost.com/business/economics/3...rotection-for-assets

Thaicom management will seek court protection for its assets following the recent unrest at its satellite ground station, which has been occupied by both troops and red-shirt protesters.

A company source said the move to seek protection from the civil court was discussed by the management and its legal advisers to prevent further intrusions if political conflict erupts again, putting the company's assets at risk of damage.

Thaicom's legal advisers realise that court protection may be of little benefit as basic laws that protect property are currently being defied, said the source.

However, he said the management would raise the issue at the board meeting tomorrow and seek approval for requesting court protection.

The management does not see this as a belated move as the political standoff continues and uncertainty still prevails, said the source.

Seeking protection from the civil court to prevent further intrusions is therefore essential, he said.

The management is also sending letters to the company's shareholders to explain the situation that the company has faced over the past two weeks, he added.

The management will also inform shareholders that the Information and Communications Technology Ministry has implied the company breached its concession agreement with the state in connection with the seizure of the assets of the former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, he said.

Meanwhile a source in the ICT ministry said Thaicom had complained of damages caused by the government's attempts to block broadcasts of the red-shirt People Channel by using the station's facilities to jam its own satellite broadcast.

The company also claims some foreign customers have complained of being affected by the signal jams.