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Thai lawyer moves court to remove NBTC chairman
A 26-year-old lawyer has asked Thailand's court to remove NBTC chairman Dr Sarana after a selection committee found him unqualified. The regulator has been paralyzed for five consecutive board meetings.
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A 26-year-old lawyer has asked Thailand's Central Administrative Court to remove Dr Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck as chairman of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, arguing that his continued tenure has paralyzed the regulator and harmed consumers.
Sarunporn Meesil, representing herself as an ordinary citizen and telecom service user, filed the petition on July 18. She cited a unanimous ruling by the NBTC selection committee on July 17 that Dr Sarana lacked the qualifications required under Section 8(2) of the NBTC Act.
The selection committee found that Dr Sarana had remained a temporary employee of Mahidol University between January and April 2022 while also receiving hourly pay as a physician at a premium clinic run by a state hospital. Under the NBTC law, that dual engagement disqualified him from the commissioner post.
Dr Sarana rejected the panel's decision and filed his own case on Aug 3, asking the court to revoke the ruling. He argues the selection committee exceeded its legal authority.