Prinya analysis on NBTC Chairman qualification loss

Thansettakij•Politics•2d ago

Reader Briefing

Associate Professor Dr. Prinya Thaewanarumitkul analyzes legal sections concluding that NBTC Chairman Dr. Saran Boonbaichaiyapruck lacks qualifications and should have vacated office on January 11, 2022.

•The NBTC Selection Committee voted 4 to 0 on July 17, 2026, that Dr. Saran Boonbaichaiyapruck lacks qualifications.
•Dr. Saran Boonbaichaiyapruck is considered to have waived his right to the position for remaining a state employee after the deadline of January 10, 2022.
•Associate Professor Dr. Prinya Thaewanarumitkul states that Dr. Saran Boonbaichaiyapruck must vacate the position effective from January 11, 2022.
•Actions taken by Dr. Saran Boonbaichaiyapruck over the past 4 years are not affected by this subsequent loss of qualification under the Administrative Procedure Act 1996.

Overview

•The NBTC Selection Committee voted 4 to 0 on July 17, 2026, that Dr. Saran Boonbaichaiyapruck had prohibited characteristics under Section 8 (2) of the NBTC Act.
•Dr. Saran Boonbaichaiyapruck remained a state employee as a doctor receiving hourly compensation past the January 10, 2022 deadline set by the President of the Senate.
•Associate Professor Dr. Prinya Thaewanarumitkul concludes that Dr. Saran Boonbaichaiyapruck waived the right to be appointed and thus lacks qualifications.
•Associate Professor Dr. Prinya Thaewanarumitkul asserts Dr. Saran Boonbaichaiyapruck has been out of office since January 11, 2022.
•The Administrative Procedure Act 1996 Section 19 ensures that previous official duties performed by Dr. Saran Boonbaichaiyapruck remain valid despite the lack of qualifications.
•The Prime Minister must submit a royal decree to formally remove Dr. Saran Boonbaichaiyapruck from the position.
•Associate Professor Dr. Prinya Thaewanarumitkul suggests Anutin should urgently proceed with the royal decree to allow NBTC missions to move forward.

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Key Entities

Person

Dr. Saran Boonbaichaiyapruck(นพ.สรณ บุญใบชัยพฤกษ์)

The Chairman of the NBTC who was found to lack qualifications due to state employment status.

Associate Professor Dr. Prinya Thaewanarumitkul(รศ.ดร.ปริญญา เทวานฤมิตรกุล)

A lecturer at the Faculty of Law, Thammasat University, who provided the legal analysis.

General Prayut Chan-o-cha(พล.อ.ประยุทธ์ จันทร์โอชา)

The Prime Minister at the time who submitted the name for royal appointment.

Anutin(อนุทิน)ℹ️

The person Associate Professor Dr. Prinya Thaewanarumitkul urged to expedite the royal decree for removal.

Organization

NBTC(กสทช.)

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission.

NBTC Selection Committee(คณะกรรมการสรรหากรรมการกิจการกระจายเสียง กิจการโทรทัศน์ และกิจการโทรคมนาคมแห่งชาติ)

The committee that voted on the qualifications of the NBTC Chairman.

Thammasat University(มหาวิทยาลัยธรรมศาสตร์)ℹ️

The university where Associate Professor Dr. Prinya Thaewanarumitkul is a lecturer.

Mahidol University(มหาวิทยาลัยมหิดล)ℹ️

The institution Dr. Saran Boonbaichaiyapruck resigned from, though he remained an hourly paid doctor.

Senate(วุฒิสภา)ℹ️

The body that gave approval for the appointment of the NBTC commissioner.

Law

NBTC Act 2010(พระราชบัญญัติองค์กรจัดสรรคลื่นความถี่และกำกับการประกอบกิจการวิทยุกระจายเสียง วิทยุโทรทัศน์ และกิจการโทรคมนาคม พ.ศ. 2553)

The law governing the qualifications and removal of NBTC commissioners.

Administrative Procedure Act 1996(พระราชบัญญัติวิธีปฏิบัติราชการทางปกครอง พ.ศ. 2539)

The law specifying that actions taken by an official remain valid even if they are later found to lack qualifications.