Analyst Calls for NBTC Chair to Step Down Over Qualification Issue
A political analyst is calling for the NBTC chairman to resign after a recruitment committee ruled him unqualified for failing to meet full-time employment requirements, citing disrupted board operations affecting the public.
On July 28, 2025, political analyst Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thanaporn Sriyakul commented on the case of Dr. Sonn Boonlabchaipruek, chairman of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), who attended an NBTC meeting despite a recruitment committee resolution finding him unqualified and thus in forfeiture of the position. Thanaporn stated that Dr. Sonn should cease his duties because the recruitment committee has already ruled that his disqualification constitutes voluntary forfeiture from the outset. The law clearly specifies that those appointed to this position must work full-time and resign from all other occupations within 15 days, with no exceptions for any professional practice. Since Dr. Sonn failed to comply with the legal requirements within 15 days, the recruitment committee determined that he willingly forfeited the position from the beginning. Thanaporn stressed that this qualification issue has directly impacted NBTC operations, as a majority of the board has refused to attend meetings, causing meetings to collapse and halting work related to telecommunications and television. The real victims are the public. He recommended that the remaining six board members convene to elect an interim NBTC chairman so the organization can resume its functions.
