NBTC Board Meeting Collapses Amidst Leadership Dispute

Post Today•Economy•2d ago

Reader Briefing

The NBTC board meeting collapsed again after four members walked out, claiming the chairman is unqualified to perform his duties.

•Four NBTC board members walked out of a meeting, leading to a failure to reach a quorum.
•The dispute centers on whether Dr. Sarana Boonbaichaiyaphruk possesses the qualifications to serve as NBTC chairman.
•Urgent agendas regarding the Thaicom 4 satellite expiration on September 10, 2026, remain pending.
•Opposing board members suggest that Dr. Sarana Boonbaichaiyaphruk's actions may violate Section 157 of the Criminal Code.

Overview

•Four NBTC board members, including Lt. Gen. Thanaphan Raijaroen, Ms. Pirongrong Ramsut, Mr. Supach Supachalasi, and Mr. Somphop Purivikraipong, walked out of the board meeting.
•The four board members believe Dr. Sarana Boonbaichaiyaphruk is unqualified and should stop performing duties as NBTC Chairman.
•Dr. Sarana Boonbaichaiyaphruk stated that the Administrative Court has accepted the case and he will continue performing duties until a legal conclusion is reached.
•Lt. Gen. Thanaphan Raijaroen warned that if Dr. Sarana Boonbaichaiyaphruk insists on chairing meetings while unqualified, it could be a violation of Section 157 and Section 138 of the Criminal Code.
•Mr. Trairat Wiriyasirikul noted that Thaicom 4 will expire on September 10, 2026, and the company cannot launch a new satellite in time due to production delays.
•A source from NBTC claimed the Thaicom 4 issue is not yet urgent because the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society allowed usage until September 10, 2026.
•Scheduled NBTC meetings for August are set for August 5-6, 11, 13, and 19-20, 2026.

Full article content is available on the original source.

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Source: Post Today (Original)

Key Quotes

Dr. Sarana Boonbaichaiyaphruk

"No one has mentioned Section 157 at all."

ไม่มีใครพูดถึงเรื่อง 157 เลย

Dr. Sarana Boonbaichaiyaphruk

"I have no intention of blaming anyone."

ไม่ได้ตั้งใจจะเอาผิดกับใคร

Key Entities

Organization

Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission(สำนักงานคณะกรรมการกิจการกระจายเสียง กิจการโทรทัศน์ และกิจการโทรคมนาคมแห่งชาติ)ℹ️

The agency overseeing broadcasting and telecommunications in Thailand.

NBTC(กสทช.)

The regulatory body for broadcasting and telecommunications.

Thaicom Public Company Limited(บริษัท ไทยคม จำกัด (มหาชน))

The company operating the Thaicom 4 satellite.

Administrative Court(ศาลปกครอง)ℹ️

The court handling the legal case regarding the NBTC chairman's qualifications.

Ministry of Digital Economy and Society(กระทรวงดิจิทัลเพื่อเศรษฐกิจและสังคม)ℹ️

The ministry that granted an extension for the usage of Thaicom 4.

National Telecom Public Company Limited(บริษัท โทรคมนาคมแห่งชาติ จำกัด (มหาชน))ℹ️

An entity involved in the satellite expiration timeline mentioned as NT.

Person

Dr. Sarana Boonbaichaiyaphruk(นพ.สรณ บุญใบชัยพฤกษ์)

The Chairman of the NBTC whose qualifications are being disputed.

Lt. Gen. Thanaphan Raijaroen(พล.อ.ท. ธนพันธุ์ หร่ายเจริญ)

An NBTC board member who walked out of the meeting.

Ms. Pirongrong Ramsut(นางสาวพิรงรอง รามสูต)

An NBTC board member who walked out of the meeting.

Mr. Supach Supachalasi(นายศุภัช ศุภชลาศัย)

An NBTC board member who walked out of the meeting.

Mr. Somphop Purivikraipong(นายสมภพ ภูริวิกรัยพงศ์)

An NBTC board member who walked out of the meeting.

Mr. Trairat Wiriyasirikul(นายไตรรัตน์ วิริยะศิริกุล)

The Deputy Secretary-General acting as Secretary-General of the NBTC.

Law

Section 157(มาตรา 157)

A legal provision regarding the dereliction of duty or malfeasance by officials.

Criminal Code Sections 138 and 83(ประมวลกฎหมายอาญา 138 และ 83)

Laws cited regarding the obstruction of officials in the performance of their duties.