Thai Broadcast Regulator's Chief Loses Position Over Legal Disqualification
Thailand's broadcast regulator chief has been deemed legally disqualified by the NBTC selection committee, though formal removal requires royal approval and publication in the official gazette.
The NBTC selection committee unanimously voted 4-0 that Chairman Dr. Sorn Boonbaisairattana is disqualified under Section 8(2) of the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Act, meaning he has forfeited his right to serve as an NBTC commissioner under Section 18 of the Act as amended in 2022. Suphinyha Klangngarom, a former NBTC commissioner and head of the Consumer Council's communications subcommittee, argued that while Dr. Sorn may be considered ineligible from a practical standpoint, his formal removal requires royal approval and publication in the Royal Gazette. She called on Dr. Sorn to immediately cease his duties and notify the NBTC office, similar to her own previous decision when facing disqualification. Klangngarom emphasized that while Dr. Sorn may contest the decision in administrative court, he should first step down to avoid operational and financial complications for the agency. She also stressed that proper government procedure requires official documentation submitted by a responsible agency to the Prime Minister for royal endorsement, and noted that five other NBTC board members are now watching how the situation unfolds.
