Union Demands PM Remove NBTC Chair Over Qualification Breach

On July 24, 2025, the labor union of the state-owned National Telecom Company (NT) submitted a letter to the Prime Minister requesting that he initiate legal procedures to petition the King for Dr. Sorin Bunyabaichaipruk's removal as chairman of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) immediately due to disqualification.

The letter cited a unanimous 4-0 decision by the NBTC selection committee on July 23, 2025, which determined that Dr. Sorin lacked the required qualifications to serve as a NBTC commissioner. The disqualification stemmed from his continued employment as an hourly-paid physician at Mahidol University between January 8 and April 12, 2022, which violates Section 8(2) of the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Act of 2010 and its amendments.

The union stated that the selection committee reviewed documents from Mahidol University and Dr. Sorin's written explanation before concluding that hourly physician positions constitute state employment under institutional assignment and control, thereby violating legal prohibitions.

Although the law required disqualified individuals to sever prohibited ties within a specified timeframe, and despite Dr. Sorin submitting some evidence to the Senate president, he maintained state employee status until April 12, 2022, resulting in his disqualification from the NBTC position.

The union requested that the Prime Minister use legal authority to secure a royal decree removing Dr. Sorin from his NBTC chairmanship retroactively from the date he became ineligible. The union also asked that the matter be referred to the National Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate whether Dr. Sorin's continued service as NBTC chairman after being deemed ineligible constitutes misconduct.