Praphan: NBTC Chairman Dr. Soron must cease duties immediately

Thairath•Politics•3d ago

Reader Briefing

Former senator Praphan Koonmee asserts that NBTC Chairman Dr. Soron Boonbaichaiyapruek must immediately cease all duties following a selection committee resolution.

•The NBTC Selection Committee voted 4 to 0 that Dr. Soron Boonbaichaiyapruek has prohibited characteristics under the law.
•Praphan Koonmee stated Dr. Soron Boonbaichaiyapruek must stop working immediately and cannot act as an acting chairman.
•The NBTC Selection Committee is expected to meet to select a new NBTC Chairman on July 17, 2026.
•The Prime Minister is expected to submit the removal of Dr. Soron Boonbaichaiyapruek and the appointment of a new chairman for royal approval simultaneously.

Overview

•The NBTC Selection Committee issued a unanimous 4 to 0 resolution that Dr. Soron Boonbaichaiyapruek possesses prohibited characteristics under Section 8 (2) of the Act on the Organization to Assign Radio Frequency and to Regulate the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Services 2010.
•Dr. Soron Boonbaichaiyapruek is considered to have waived the right to hold a position as an NBTC commissioner under Section 18 of the Act on the Organization to Assign Radio Frequency and to Regulate the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Services 2010 as amended by the Act (No. 4) 2022.
•Praphan Koonmee stated that Dr. Soron Boonbaichaiyapruek must stop performing duties immediately and cannot attend meetings or cast votes.
•The NBTC Selection Committee must notify the Secretariat of the Prime Minister regarding the resolution.
•The Prime Minister must report the resolution and submit Dr. Soron Boonbaichaiyapruek's name for royal removal from the NBTC Chairman position according to Section 20 of the NBTC Act.
•A meeting to select a new NBTC Chairman is expected on July 17, 2026.
•Praphan Koonmee mentioned that Dr. Soron Boonbaichaiyapruek may petition the Supreme Administrative Court, though the court's acceptance depends on its discretion.

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Source: Thairath (Original)

Key Quotes

Praphan Koonmee

"The resolution of the NBTC Selection Committee is final by law, and Dr. Soron is one who vacates office before the term ends due to lack of qualifications."

มติกรรมการสรรหา กสทช. ถือเป็นที่สิ้นสุดตามกฎหมาย และ หมอสรณ เป็นผู้ที่พ้นวาระก่อนกำหนดเนื่องจากขาดคุณสมบัติ

Praphan Koonmee

"The law clearly states that duties must stop immediately without waiting for the royal command for removal."

กฎหมายเขียนชัดว่าต้องหยุดปฏิบัติหน้าที่ทันที ไม่ต้องรอทูลเกล้าฯ ถอดถอน

Key Entities

Person

Praphan Koonmee(ประพันธ์ คูณมี)

A former senator and former member of the Senate Committee on Information Technology, Communication, and Telecommunications (ICT).

Dr. Soron Boonbaichaiyapruek(นพ.สรณ บุญใบชัยพฤกษ์)

The Chairman of the NBTC who was ruled to have prohibited characteristics.

Organization

NBTC Selection Committee(คณะกรรมการสรรหากรรมการกิจการกระจายเสียง กิจการโทรทัศน์ และกิจการโทรคมนาคมแห่งชาติ)

The committee responsible for the selection of NBTC commissioners and which ruled on the qualifications of Dr. Soron Boonbaichaiyapruek.

NBTC(กสทช.)

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission.

Secretariat of the Prime Minister(สำนักเลขาธิการนายกรัฐมนตรี)

The office that requested the ruling from the NBTC Selection Committee and reports the resolution to the Prime Minister.

Supreme Administrative Court(ศาลปกครองสูงสุด)ℹ️

The court where Dr. Soron Boonbaichaiyapruek could potentially file a petition for temporary protection.

Law

Act on the Organization to Assign Radio Frequency and to Regulate the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Services 2010(พระราชบัญญัติองค์กรจัดสรรคลื่นความถี่และกำกับการประกอบกิจการวิทยุกระจายเสียง วิทยุโทรทัศน์ และกิจการโทรคมนาคม พ.ศ. 2553)

The law under which Dr. Soron Boonbaichaiyapruek was found to have prohibited characteristics.