Thailand’s Central Administrative Court upheld the disqualification of National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) Chairman Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck, as a consumer group warned that the board deadlock could delay action on 148 pending items.
The NBTC Office said in an Oct. 22 statement that it had received no reports or resolutions from special meetings held by six commissioners. The office questioned the meetings’ legal basis and procedures, and said staff members who attended had not been assigned to do so.
The Bangkok Post reported Oct. 23 that acting Secretary-General Trairat Viriyasirikul urged commissioners to await the Supreme Administrative Court’s direction on Sarana’s qualifications. Whether Sarana appealed and whether the higher court has set a hearing date are unconfirmed.
The dispute followed a July 21 decision by the NBTC Selection Committee that Sarana had a prohibited qualification and was deemed to have waived his right to take office under Section 18 of the law. Sarana challenged that decision in court.
In its Sept. 25 ruling, the Central Administrative Court dismissed his lawsuit and found the committee’s decision lawful. The court concluded that Sarana’s hourly-paid medical work at Ramathibodi Hospital met a disqualifying condition under Section 8(2). It also said the committee had authority to decide the matter and that the ruling did not affect Sarana’s actions before the judgment.
Matichon reported Oct. 22 that Trairat said he could not determine whether resolutions from the disputed meetings were lawful or enforceable. He also warned that the NBTC Office could face litigation if problems arose.
The Thailand Consumers Council said Sept. 9 that 148 agenda items were pending. It warned that the deadlock could delay matters affecting consumers, telecommunications, broadcasting and the digital economy.
