NBTC meeting postponed after commissioners question chairman's status
The meeting of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), scheduled for today, has been postponed until August 5 after some of the seven commissioners refused to attend due to questions over the status of the chairman, Dr Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck.
The NBTC's selection committee unanimously voted on July 17 to disqualify Dr Sarana as chairman after finding that he had held prohibited outside professional positions, in violation of the 2010 NBTC Act. He has argued, however, that he resigned from his permanent medical post at Mahidol University before taking office at the NBTC.
One of the commissioners, Professor Pirongrong Ramasoota, explained that she and several other commissioners did not walk out of the meeting but instead declined to attend because they wanted the chairman's legal status to be clarified first.
Attending the meeting while Dr Sarana's status remains unresolved could create legal complications that may affect the broadcasting industry, she said.
Professor Pirongrong and two fellow commissioners had informed the commission in writing in advance of their intention not to attend the meeting.
They also suggested that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, in his capacity as the authority responsible for enforcing the NBTC Act, should step in to resolve the matter so the organisation can continue to function.
Meanwhile, a defiant Dr Sarana told reporters today that he disagrees with the selection committee's ruling and is in the process of appealing to the Administrative Court.
He also said he would continue to perform his duties as chairman until a Royal Command formally removes him from office.
Meanwhile, representatives of the Association of Digital TV Operators submitted a letter to the NBTC urging all seven commissioners to resolve the chairman's status as quickly as possible.
They noted that several important issues remain pending before the NBTC, including the digital TV roadmap and the national streaming platform.
They added that these issues should be considered transparently to avoid legal complications going forward.