Legal Experts Urge PM Srettha to Resolve NBTC Chair Dispute
A Bangkok court dismissed the NBTC chairman's challenge to a selection committee's attempt to remove him, but legal experts say he remains in office without a royal decree ending his appointment. The dispute centers on whether the committee
On August 9, the Central Administrative Court dismissed a case filed by Dr. Sarun Bunjaichaipruk, chairman of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), against the NBTC selection committee. Dr. Sarun had alleged that the committee was biased, non-transparent, lacked a quorum, and exceeded its legal authority. The court found that Dr. Sarun had suffered no injury or harm. Legal experts note that the court's dismissal means Dr. Sarun remains NBTC chairman because no royal decree has been issued to remove him from the position.
The selection committee voted unanimously 4–0 that Dr. Sarun should forfeit his right to become an NBTC commissioner, citing his continued work as an hourly-paid physician at Ramathibodi Hospital. However, Dr. Sarun contested this, arguing that the committee's authority to determine commissioner qualifications ended once it submitted his name to the Senate and he received royal appointment on April 13, 2022.
Legal scholars point out that the committee's power to rule on his removal remains disputed and unresolved. Former selection committee member Nathawong Rattamurit wrote to the Prime Minister and Senate President stating that the committee's role concluded after selecting Dr. Sarun and his royal appointment. Committee member Yupin Chonannontinivat also opposed the committee's attempt to revoke his qualifications. According to the constitutional court's ruling, the selection committee's authority to verify candidates' qualifications applies only before royal appointment.
Legal experts note that Dr. Sarun submitted his resignation from Ramathibodi Hospital's Faculty of Medicine on January 7, 2022, after Senate approval but before his royal appointment on April 13. Additionally, committee chairman Kiatphong Amatayakul's eligibility has been questioned, as the 2553 Broadcasting Act requires NBTC selection committee members to be Thai nationals aged 40–70, and questions have been raised about whether he met age requirements when presiding over the July 21 committee meeting.
