NBTC Meeting Collapses as 3 Commissioners Exit Over Legal Concerns

Matichon•Economy•20d ago

Reader Briefing

Three NBTC commissioners walked out of a meeting on August 6, leading to the collapse of the session due to legal concerns regarding the Chairperson's status.

•The NBTC meeting on August 6 failed to open after three commissioners exited upon the arrival of Chairperson Sarana Boonbaichaiyaphruk.
•The three commissioners cited legal risks and potential criminal liability following a ruling by the NBTC Selection Committee regarding the Chairperson's qualifications.
•Chairperson Sarana Boonbaichaiyaphruk has submitted a letter to the Prime Minister seeking fairness and denying any wrongdoing.
•The State Enterprise Labor Union of National Telecom Public Company Limited has demanded that Chairperson Sarana Boonbaichaiyaphruk cease duties.

Overview

•On August 6, three NBTC commissioners left the meeting room at 09:30 when Chairperson Sarana Boonbaichaiyaphruk arrived.
•Air Chief Marshal Dr. Thanaphan Raijaroen, Prof. Dr. Pirongrong Ramasoot, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Supach Supachalasai exited due to concerns that voting with a person deemed to have waived their rights could lead to administrative and criminal liability.
•Chairperson Sarana Boonbaichaiyaphruk asserted that he can perform his duties normally as there is no order to stop and he does not accept the authority of the NBTC Selection Committee on this matter.
•Chairperson Sarana Boonbaichaiyaphruk sent a letter to the Prime Minister the previous week to clarify facts and confirm he committed no wrong.
•The State Enterprise Labor Union of National Telecom Public Company Limited submitted an open letter demanding Chairperson Sarana Boonbaichaiyaphruk stop his duties.
•The conflict remains unresolved with the three commissioners arguing that proceeding under current conditions could affect the legality of the resolutions.
•The next NBTC meetings are scheduled for August 11 and August 13.

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Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Entities

Organization

National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission(คณะกรรมการกิจการกระจายเสียง กิจการโทรทัศน์ และกิจการโทรคมนาคมแห่งชาติ)ℹ️

The regulatory body whose board is facing internal conflict over the Chairperson's legal status.

NBTC Selection Committee(คณะกรรมการสรรหา กสทช.)

The committee that issued a ruling regarding the qualifications of the NBTC Chairperson.

State Enterprise Labor Union of National Telecom Public Company Limited(สหภาพแรงงานรัฐวิสาหกิจบริษัท โทรคมนาคมแห่งชาติ จำกัด (มหาชน))

The labor union that demanded the NBTC Chairperson cease his duties.

Person

Dr. Sarana Boonbaichaiyaphruk(นพ.สรณ บุญใบชัยพฤกษ์)

The Chairperson of the NBTC who is seeking fairness from the Prime Minister regarding his qualifications.

Air Chief Marshal Dr. Thanaphan Raijaroen(พลอากาศโท ดร.ธนพันธุ์ หร่ายเจริญ)

An NBTC commissioner who walked out of the August 6 meeting over legal concerns.

Prof. Dr. Pirongrong Ramasoot(ศ.กิตติคุณ ดร.พิรงรอง รามสูต)

An NBTC commissioner who walked out of the August 6 meeting over legal concerns.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Supach Supachalasai(รองศาสตราจารย์ ดร.ศุภัช ศุภชลาศัย)

An NBTC commissioner who walked out of the August 6 meeting and suggested appointing a temporary chairperson.

Mr. Trairat Wiriyasirikul(นายไตรรัตน์ วิริยะศิริกุล)

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

Prime Minister(นายกรัฐมนตรี)ℹ️

The legal overseer to whom Chairperson Sarana Boonbaichaiyaphruk has requested fairness.