NBTC Commissioners Revolt, Urge PM Intervention Amid Chairman Qualification Deadlock

Commissioners at the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) have urged Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to intervene as the regulator faces a deadlock over the qualifications of its chairman. The selection committee ruled on July 17 that Dr Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck lacks the qualifications to hold the chairman's office, citing Section 8 (2) of the 2010 NBTC Act. Dr Sarana has indicated he is exploring his legal options. The committee's decision stems from Dr Sarana's failure to resign from prohibited jobs before the January 11, 2022 deadline. NBTC commissioner Suphat Suphachalasai stated that the prime minister must take decisive legal action. Mr Anutin could forward the ruling to the Senate for a final decision or formally seek royal approval for Dr Sarana's removal. Alternatively, if the prime minister confirms the chairman's status as legal, it would provide the necessary clarity for the NBTC board to resume its functions. However, a source within NBTC management, requesting anonymity, stated that until this clarity is provided, the regulator remains "in a state of paralysis," with several critical policies awaiting decisions. The NBTC board meeting scheduled for yesterday was aborted after three commissioners boycotted the session due to the ruling on the chairman's qualifications. This crisis is expected to plunge the regulator into further deadlock, with the next meeting slated for August 5. According to an NBTC source, the meeting lasted only 30 minutes before three commissioners staged a walkout, questioning the chairman's legal standing. Commissioners Pirongrong Ramasoota, AM Thanapant Raicharoen, and Mr Suphat refused to recognize Dr Sarana's authority to preside over the session, arguing that the selection committee's vote meant he should not continue in his role. These three commissioners then exited the room and submitted formal leave notices, leaving only three members, including the chairman, in attendance. This prevented the meeting from reaching a quorum, which requires at least four members, forcing an immediate adjournment. Dr Sarana called on the exiting board members to fulfill their roles, but they refused and instead gave press interviews. He maintains he remains legally in office until a royal command formally relieves him of his duties. The selection panel's ruling stated that Dr Sarana forfeited his right to assume office under Section 18 of the 2021 NBTC Act, as he was prohibited under Section 8 of the 2010 NBTC Act. The three commissioners insist the selection committee's vote is final. Mr Suphat warned that resolutions passed during meetings presided over by a disqualified chairman carry significant legal risks and could lead to a wave of lawsuits. He expressed uncertainty about whether the August 5 meeting can proceed. Meanwhile, commissioner Pirongrong noted that her own legal challenges are fundamentally different from the chairman's case. She was convicted of dereliction of duty in 2025, a case still subject to appeal, whereas the selection panel's ruling on Dr Sarana deemed him ineligible from the outset.