The BBC has shut down its shortwave transmitters in Thailand after “failing to reach agreement” with the Thai military government, which has not been happy with the BBC's uncensored approach to news reporting.

The British broadcaster was negotiating for another seven year lease agreement for its transmitter site.

A BBC statement acknowledged that the action was taken in retaliation against its approach to “accurate and impartial news.”

“We regret that we have not been able to reach an agreement with the Thai government which would allow us to continue using this facility to bring accurate and impartial news to audiences in the region.

“We are continuing to develop other ways for people to access the BBC, including internet and mobile streaming, as well as FM radio and TV broadcasts.”

The BBC's huge shortwave transmitter site, near the Thai/Cambodia/Laos border, has two arrays, one configured to broadcast east-west into Thailand and Cambodia, and a north-south array, which can reach China. It is situated near a lake, for better ground conductivity. _{(pictures: Google Earth)}

The BBC also recently announced it would be beaming services into North Korea, but whether broadcasts would have emanated from this site, or a different site in South Korea, is unknown at this time.

The Government Public Relations Department owns the premises and the negotiating counterpart for the contract was Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Thailand's government is on record criticising the BBC's on air and online content, which covers political developments more frankly than local media.

Many radio stations were forced to switch off after the 2014 coup, and, although most are now back on air, there are heavy restrictions on covering protests and other anti-government activities. The country's Lese Majeste laws, preventing insulting the King, are also often used to harass and intimidate media.

A staff of 45 people worked at the transmitter site in Nakhon Sawan, 240 km north of Bangkok. The transmitters were moved there from Hong Kong when Britain handed over the territory to China in 1997.