Consumer Council urges Dr. Soron to stop acting as NBTC Chairman

Prachachat•Politics•19d ago

Reader Briefing

The Consumer Council has demanded that NBTC Chairman Dr. Soron Boonbaichaiyaphruk cease his duties following a selection committee resolution regarding his prohibited qualifications.

•The Consumer Council sent an open letter urging Dr. Soron Boonbaichaiyaphruk to stop acting as NBTC Chairman.
•The NBTC Selection Committee unanimously resolved on July 17, 2026, that Dr. Soron possesses prohibited characteristics under the law.
•The Consumer Council raised concerns over the NBTC's performance regarding telecommunications mergers and the Digital TV Master Plan.
•The Council requested the NBTC to appoint a new chairman and notify the Prime Minister of the selection committee's resolution.

Overview

•The Consumer Council issued an open letter to the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) requesting Dr. Soron Boonbaichaiyaphruk cease his duties immediately.
•The NBTC Selection Committee reached a unanimous resolution on July 17, 2026, stating Dr. Soron Boonbaichaiyaphruk has prohibited characteristics under Sections 8 and 18 of the Act.
•Supinya Klangnarong stated that Dr. Soron Boonbaichaiyaphruk participating in the NBTC Meeting 22/2026 on July 27, 2026, could lead to legal disputes and void resolutions.
•The Consumer Council questioned the 10-year consumer protection experience requirement for the NBTC Consumer Protection Commissioner role based on 2022 criteria.
•The Consumer Council criticized the NBTC for a lack of consumer protection results over four years, citing the True-dtac and AIS-3BB mergers.
•The Consumer Council noted 600 million baht from the Broadcasting, Television and Telecommunications Research and Development Fund (BTC) was used for World Cup broadcasts that faced blackout issues.
•The Consumer Council warned that delays in the 3rd Digital TV Master Plan could impact media structures before licenses expire in 2029.
•The Consumer Council requested the NBTC Secretary-General to officially notify the Prime Minister of the Selection Committee's resolution.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Read on Prachachat (Thai Version)View in Google Translate

Source: Prachachat (Original)

Key Quotes

Supinya Klangnarong

"This issue is not just about an individual, but about the legitimacy of the regulatory organization."

ประเด็นนี้ไม่ใช่เพียงเรื่องของบุคคล แต่เป็นเรื่องความชอบธรรมขององค์กรกำกับดูแล

Supinya Klangnarong

"The duty of the NBTC is not just to keep the organization running, but to regulate so that the people receive quality services."

หน้าที่ของ กสทช. ไม่ใช่เพียงบริหารองค์กรให้เดินต่อไปได้ แต่ต้องกำกับดูแลให้ประชาชนได้รับบริการที่มีคุณภาพ

Key Entities

Organization

Consumer Council(สภาผู้บริโภค)ℹ️

An organization that sent an open letter urging the NBTC Chairman to cease duties and questioned the NBTC's consumer protection performance.

NBTC(กสทช.)

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, the regulatory body for broadcasting and telecommunications in Thailand.

NBTC Selection Committee(คณะกรรมการสรรหา กสทช.)

The committee that resolved that Dr. Soron Boonbaichaiyaphruk has prohibited characteristics for his position.

True(ทรู)

A telecommunications company involved in a business merger with dtac.

dtac(ดีแทค)ℹ️

A telecommunications company involved in a business merger with True.

AIS(เอไอเอส)

A telecommunications company involved in a home internet business merger with 3BB.

Triple T Broadband(ทริปเปิลทรีบรอดแบนด์)

The company known as 3BB involved in a business merger with AIS.

Broadcasting, Television and Telecommunications Research and Development Fund(กองทุนวิจัยและพัฒนากิจการกระจายเสียง กิจการโทรทัศน์ และกิจการโทรคมนาคม เพื่อประโยชน์สาธารณะ)

The fund known as BTC that provided 600 million baht for World Cup broadcasts.

Person

Supinya Klangnarong(สุภิญญา กลางณรงค์)ℹ️

Chairperson of the Subcommittee on Communications, Telecommunications and Information Technology of the Consumer Council.

Professor Clinic Dr. Soron Boonbaichaiyaphruk(ศาสตราจารย์คลินิก นพ.สรณ บุญใบชัยพฤกษ์)

The Chairman of the NBTC and NBTC Commissioner for Consumer Protection.

Law

Act on the Organization for National Broadcasting and Telecommunications(พระราชบัญญัติองค์กรจัดสรรคลื่นความถี่ฯ)

The law containing Sections 8 and 18 regarding prohibited characteristics for NBTC members.

Policy

Broadcasting and Television Master Plan No. 3(แผนแม่บทกิจการกระจายเสียงและกิจการโทรทัศน์ ฉบับที่ 3)

A framework for the future of Thai digital television before licenses expire in 2029.