The purpose of this research is to 1) study the competency of community radio (Business Type) for adaptation in the age of media convergence and the emergence of digital radio 2) study the impact of media convergence and the emergence of digital radio on community radio (Business Type)[1] 3) recommend preparedness planning for business continuity of community radio (Business Type). This research uses a combination of quantitative and qualitative analysis. The population in this study comprises of Thai citizens at least 18 years of age hailing from five regions, with 400 representing each region for a total of 2,000 persons. Provinces are selected based on the number of community radio stations present and high level of economic activities. Key informants include academics and experts, community radio service operators, policy-level civil servants, and policy-level civil servants with at least 3 years of experience in the field of radio service, for a total of 10 persons.  The issue that participants understand the most about community radio (Business Type) is that community radio stations use the same frequencies as FM and AM systems (73.76%).  They also perceive the level of impact on community radio (Business Type) to be high (x ̅=3.65, SD= .761). The research also finds that understanding about community radio (Business Type) influences the impact on community radio service in the age of media convergence and the emergence of digital radio with a significance value of 0.05 (P-value = .000). The research paper concludes with recommendations for business continuity planning for community radio (Business Type)  as follows: 1) organizational transformation into convergent media regulator 2) promotion of co-regulation of media content with professional media organizations 3) design regulations that reduce costs and risks for radio station operators and set conditions that assist operators in finding solutions for their business problems 4) cost reduction in radio broadcasting for community radio stations 5) level the playing field for community radio station operators so that they are able to compete with major radio station operators today and in the age of digital radio and 6) enhance competency among community radio station operators for digital radio technology and development of content quality, variety, and presentation that meet the audience’ changing behaviors.

[1] In Thailand, nowadays, all radio stations both AM and FM are in the hands of National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC).  There are approximately 5,500 AM and FM stations in Thailand.  These can be divided as follows 1. The first category is the mainstream Station.   There are approximately 193 AM station 313 FM station nationwide.  All of them used to belong to the government agencies but now have received temporarily licenses to operate from National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC). These stations operate for the government communication to Thai, however, they also let to private companies to operate for leisure as well.  The money receives from private company will be used for the objective of establishment of the agencies.   Out of 193 AM stations, there are approximately 120 stations belong to the armies and 60 stations belong to Department of Public Relation (government agency) and the rest still belong to the different government agencies.  For FM stations, there are approximately 313 FM station nationwide.  There are approximately 160 stations belong to the armies and 90 stations belong to Department of Public Relation and 80 stations belong to the Mass Communication Organization of Thailand (government agency).    2. The second category is called “Experimental radio service” or this paper would like to call it as a community radio station.   Before 2014, there were 10,000 FM community radio stations nationwide which operate without government supervision and authorization.  The radio owner set up the station with a radio broadcaster equipment and radio tower.  After the Coup d’état in 2014, the government issued a temporary license to this radio and categorize them into three types, Business, Community, and public purposes/ licenses.    Nowadays, the number of stations of “Experimental radio service"/ community has reduced to 4,000 for business license and 1,000 for both Community and public licenses.  For business license, it means that the station can advertise for business purposes but community and public licenses which usually belong to the temple, foundations cannot advertise and commercialize.  These stations “Experimental radio service” or this paper would like to call it as a community radio station can broadcast no longer than 20 Kms radiance.