Anutin Urged to Resolve Legal Conflict on NBTC Chairman Removal

Khaosod•Politics•17d ago

Reader Briefing

Legal experts advise the Prime Minister to resolve conflicting legal interpretations regarding the removal of NBTC Chairman Dr. Saran Boonbaichai-phruek.

•The Central Administrative Court dismissed a lawsuit filed by Dr. Saran Boonbaichai-phruek against the NBTC Selection Committee.
•The NBTC Selection Committee voted 4:0 that Dr. Saran Boonbaichai-phruek forfeited his right to the NBTC commissioner position.
•Legal experts argue that the NBTC Selection Committee's power to determine qualifications ended once the name was submitted to the Senate.
•Concerns were raised that Mr. Kiattiphong Amatyakul may have exceeded the legal age limit of 70 to serve as the NBTC Selection Committee Chairman on July 21, 2026.

Overview

•Dr. Saran Boonbaichai-phruek began duties as NBTC Chairman after a royal appointment on April 13, 2022.
•The Central Administrative Court ordered the dismissal of a case where Dr. Saran Boonbaichai-phruek sued the NBTC Selection Committee for lack of neutrality and transparency.
•Legal experts state Dr. Saran Boonbaichai-phruek continues to serve as NBTC Chairman because no royal command for removal has been issued.
•The NBTC Selection Committee previously ruled unanimously 4:0 that Dr. Saran Boonbaichai-phruek forfeited his position due to continuing work as a paid hourly physician.
•Mr. Narong Rattamarit and Ms. Yupin Chalanonniwat, both NBTC Selection Committee members, opposed the committee's power to rule on the removal of Dr. Saran Boonbaichai-phruek.
•Dr. Saran Boonbaichai-phruek provided evidence of resigning from the Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, on January 7, 2022.
•Legal experts highlight a potential legal breach regarding Mr. Kiattiphong Amatyakul being over 70 years old while presiding over a meeting on July 21, 2026.
•Legal experts suggest the Prime Minister carefully consider the conflicts regarding the NBTC Selection Committee's power and legitimacy before proceeding.

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Key Entities

Person

Anutin(อนุทิน)ℹ️

A person urged to resolve legal conflicts regarding the NBTC Chairman's removal.

Dr. Saran Boonbaichai-phruek(นพ.สรณ บุญใบชัยพฤกษ์)

Chairman of the NBTC who faced removal proceedings by the NBTC Selection Committee.

Narong Rattamarit(ณรงค์ รัฐอมฤต)

A former member of the NBTC Selection Committee who challenged the committee's authority to remove Dr. Saran Boonbaichai-phruek.

Yupin Chalanonniwat(ยุพิน ชลานนท์นิวัฒน์)

A member of the NBTC Selection Committee who opposed the use of the committee's power in the case of Dr. Saran Boonbaichai-phruek.

Kiattiphong Amatyakul(เกียรติพงศ์ อมาตยกุล)

Chairman of the NBTC Selection Committee whose legal eligibility was questioned due to his age.

Organization

NBTC(กสทช.)

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission.

NBTC Selection Committee(คณะกรรมการสรรหา กสทช.)

The committee responsible for selecting NBTC commissioners and determining their qualifications.

Central Administrative Court(ศาลปกครองกลาง)

The court that dismissed the lawsuit filed by Dr. Saran Boonbaichai-phruek.

Council of State(คณะกรรมการกฤษฎีกา)ℹ️

The body whose ruling defines the duties and powers of the NBTC Selection Committee regarding candidate qualifications.

Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital(คณะแพทยศาสตร์ โรงพยาบาลรามาธิบดี)

The medical institution that Dr. Saran Boonbaichai-phruek resigned from on January 7, 2022.

Senate(วุฒิสภา)ℹ️

The body to which the NBTC Selection Committee submits names for appointment.

Law

Act on the Organization to Assign Radio Frequency and to Regulate the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Services 2010 (2010) and Amendments(พระราชบัญญัติองค์การจัดสรรคลื่นความถี่และกำกับการประกอบกิจการวิทยุกระจายเสียง วิทยุโทรทัศน์และกิจการโทรคมนาคม พ.ศ.2553 และที่แก้ไขเพิ่มเติม)

The law specifying that NBTC Selection Committee members must be aged between 40 and 70 years.