Legal Experts Advise PM Anutin on Sarana's NBTC Chair Status

Matichon•Politics•17d ago

Reader Briefing

Legal experts suggest Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul carefully consider disputed legal authorities and transparency regarding the removal of Dr. Sarana Boonbaichaiyaphruk from the NBTC chairmanship.

•The Central Administrative Court dismissed a case filed by Dr. Sarana Boonbaichaiyaphruk against the NBTC Selection Committee.
•The NBTC Selection Committee voted 4:0 that Dr. Sarana Boonbaichaiyaphruk waived his right to the NBTC commissioner position.
•Legal experts highlight a dispute over whether the Selection Committee's authority ended once the name was submitted to the Senate.
•Questions have been raised regarding the legal eligibility of Kiatpong Amatyakul as Selection Committee Chairman on July 21, 2026, due to his age.

Overview

•The Central Administrative Court ordered the dismissal of a case filed by Dr. Sarana Boonbaichaiyaphruk, ruling that Dr. Sarana Boonbaichaiyaphruk had not yet suffered damage or hardship.
•Dr. Sarana Boonbaichaiyaphruk assumed the role of NBTC Chairman following a royal command on April 13, 2022.
•The NBTC Selection Committee reached a unanimous 4:0 resolution stating that Dr. Sarana Boonbaichaiyaphruk waived his right to the position after reports surfaced that Dr. Sarana Boonbaichaiyaphruk continued working as an hourly-paid doctor.
•Dr. Sarana Boonbaichaiyaphruk argues that the NBTC Selection Committee lacked the authority to make such a ruling because their authority ended after submitting his name to the Senate.
•Narong Rattamrit, a former member of the NBTC Selection Committee, and Yupin Chalanonniwat, another committee member, expressed opposition to the exercise of power by the NBTC Selection Committee.
•Dr. Sarana Boonbaichaiyaphruk provided evidence of resigning from the Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, on January 7, 2022.
•Legal experts noted that Kiatpong Amatyakul may have exceeded the age limit of 70 years required by law while serving as Selection Committee Chairman on July 21, 2026.
•Legal experts suggest Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul thoroughly review these legal conflicts and transparency issues before proceeding further.

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Key Entities

Person

Anutin Charnvirakul(อนุทิน ชาญวีรกูล)ℹ️

The Prime Minister advised to consider legal disputes regarding the NBTC chairmanship.

Sarana Boonbaichaiyaphruk(สรณ บุญใบชัยพฤกษ์)

The NBTC Chairman whose removal from position is under legal dispute.

Narong Rattamrit(ณรงค์ รัฐอมฤต)

A former member of the NBTC Selection Committee who questioned the committee's authority.

Yupin Chalanonniwat(ยุพิน ชลานนท์นิวัฒน์)

A member of the NBTC Selection Committee who opposed the use of the committee's power.

Kiatpong Amatyakul(เกียรติพงศ์ อมาตยกุล)

The NBTC Selection Committee member acting as Chairman on July 21, 2026.

Organization

NBTC(กสทช.)

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission.

NBTC Selection Committee(คณะกรรมการสรรหา กสทช.)

The committee responsible for selecting NBTC commissioners and ruling on their qualifications.

Central Administrative Court(ศาลปกครองกลาง)

The court that dismissed the case filed by Dr. Sarana Boonbaichaiyaphruk.

Council of State(คณะกรรมการกฤษฎีกา)ℹ️

The body whose ruling defined the duties and authority of the NBTC Selection Committee.

Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital(คณะแพทยศาสตร์ โรงพยาบาลรามาธิบดี)

The institution from which Dr. Sarana Boonbaichaiyaphruk resigned on January 7, 2022.

Senate(วุฒิสภา)ℹ️

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

Law

Act on Organization for National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission 2010 and Amendments(พระราชบัญญัติองค์การจัดสรรคลื่นความถี่และกำกับการประกอบกิจการวิทยุกระจายเสียง วิทยุโทรทัศน์และกิจการโทรคมนาคม พ.ศ.2553 และที่แก้ไขเพิ่มเติม)

The law defining the qualifications and age limits for NBTC Selection Committee members.