The decision by the Chulalongkorn Radio (CU Radio) station to reduce its broadcasting hours, from 6am to midnight to only 6am to 6pm, has drawn strong criticism from its listeners, who view it as a reliable source of knowledge for people in all walks of life.

Starting tomorrow, CU Radio’s FM101.5 will broadcast for the new hours every day and will be renamed “Chula Radio Plus”. The station, established in 1958, is part of Chulalongkorn University, one of the top universities in Thailand.

Chetana Nagavajara took to his Facebook page to ask “You are the state university, understand?” He wrote that the station suddenly announced the new broadcasting hours without giving solid reasons.

“It’s a pity, because Chula Radio has contributed positively to society for more than half a century. I really appreciate its lecturers, who have adapted to the medium and are capable of transferring deep and complicated knowledge to ordinary people. Even its entertainment programs maintain good taste. The station has made the decision unreasonably, a decision that intellectuals and civilised persons would not have reached.

Adisak Limparungpatanakij, a special advisor to the Nation Group, also voiced disagreement with the decision, saying that Chulalongkorn University should be committed to its duty of providing public service and not seeking profit.

“The university wishes to cut the budget by reducing the broadcast time. Cutting the broadcast time will save only a small amount. The university should have been aware that it has huge assets which could serve the station,” Adisak wrote.