Thanaphan urges NBTC meeting of 6 commissioners

Matichon•Economy•18d ago

Reader Briefing

NBTC Commissioner Thanaphan Raicharoen urged the NBTC Office to hold meetings with only the remaining 6 commissioners following a court order regarding Saran Boonbaichaiyapruek's status.

•Lieutenant General Dr. Thanaphan Raicharoen sent an urgent memo to the NBTC Secretary-General on September 3, 2026.
•The Supreme Administrative Court issued Order 952/2026 on August 31, 2026, accepting a lawsuit regarding Saran Boonbaichaiyapruek's position.
•The NBTC Selection Committee previously ruled that Saran Boonbaichaiyapruek waived his right to the position.
•Thanaphan Raicharoen argues that Saran Boonbaichaiyapruek is no longer authorized to perform duties as NBTC Commissioner.

Overview

•On August 31, 2026, the Supreme Administrative Court issued Order 952/2026 to accept a lawsuit filed by Saran Boonbaichaiyapruek.
•The Supreme Administrative Court noted that the NBTC Selection Committee's ruling that Saran Boonbaichaiyapruek waived his right to the position causes Saran Boonbaichaiyapruek to vacate the position under Section 20, paragraph one (5).
•On September 3, 2026, Lieutenant General Dr. Thanaphan Raicharoen sent memo 1002/178 to the NBTC Secretary-General requesting NBTC meetings be held with only the 6 remaining commissioners.
•Lieutenant General Dr. Thanaphan Raicharoen stated that if laws cannot be enforced and are not accepted, no one will dare to invest in Thailand.
•Lieutenant General Dr. Thanaphan Raicharoen warned that claiming Saran Boonbaichaiyapruek still holds the position could be considered intentional distortion of law and facts, which may be a criminal offense.
•Lieutenant General Dr. Thanaphan Raicharoen cited concerns over the appointment and contract extensions of NBTC Deputy Secretary-Generals Trairat Wiriyasirikul and Sutthisak Tantrayothin without NBTC approval.
•Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has reportedly submitted a request for a royal command to remove Saran Boonbaichaiyapruek from the position.
•Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilprapunt stated that the Supreme Administrative Court's acceptance of the lawsuit does not affect the process of the royal command for removal.

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Key Entities

Person

Thanaphan Raicharoen(ธนพันธุ์ หร่ายเจริญ)

An NBTC Commissioner for broadcasting affairs who authored urgent memos regarding the status of Saran Boonbaichaiyapruek.

Saran Boonbaichaiyapruek(สรณ บุญใบชัยพฤกษ์)

The NBTC Chairman who was ruled by the selection committee to have waived his right to the position.

Trairat Wiriyasirikul(ไตรรัตน์ วิริยะสิริกุล)

An NBTC Deputy Secretary-General whose contract extension was questioned by Thanaphan Raicharoen.

Sutthisak Tantrayothin(สุทธิศักดิ์ ตันตระโยธิน)

An NBTC Deputy Secretary-General whose contract extension was questioned by Thanaphan Raicharoen.

Anutin Charnvirakul(อนุทิน ชาญวีรกูล)ℹ️

The Prime Minister who submitted a request for a royal command to remove Saran Boonbaichaiyapruek.

Pakorn Nilprapunt(ปกรณ์ นิลประพันธ์)

The Deputy Prime Minister who stated the court's action does not stop the removal process.

Organization

NBTC(กสทช.)

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission.

Supreme Administrative Court(ศาลปกครองสูงสุด)ℹ️

The court that issued Order 952/2026 to accept the lawsuit of Saran Boonbaichaiyapruek.

NBTC Commissioner Selection Committee(คณะกรรมการสรรหากรรมการ กสทช.)

The body that ruled Saran Boonbaichaiyapruek waived his right to the NBTC Commissioner position.

NACC(ป.ป.ช.)

The body investigating the contract extensions of the NBTC Deputy Secretary-Generals.

Law

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

The law governing the qualifications and removal of NBTC commissioners.

Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand 2017(รัฐธรรมนูญแห่งราชอาณาจักรไทย พ.ศ. 2560)

The supreme law referenced regarding the benefit of the nation and people.

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

The law cited regarding the effectiveness of administrative orders.

Act on Establishment of Administrative Courts and Administrative Court Procedure 1999(พระราชบัญญัติจัดตั้งศาลปกครองและวิธีพิจารณาคดีปกครอง พ.ศ. 2542)

The law cited regarding temporary protection measures by the court.