Bangkok: The NBTC Selection Committee has unanimously resolved that Clinical Professor Dr. Soran Boonbaichaiyapruk is ineligible to continue as Chairman of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) due to a disqualifying characteristic. The decision came after evidence surfaced that Dr. Soran held another overlapping position, violating the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Act.
According to Thai News Agency, the resolution was reached during a confidential meeting at the Parliament, chaired by Mr. Kiatipong Amatyakul, Senior Judge of the Labor Court Region 7. The meeting aimed to evaluate the qualifications of Dr. Soran following complaints about potential disqualifying attributes. The session was held behind closed doors, with tight security enforced by parliamentary police to ensure the confidentiality of the proceedings.
The Selection Committee concluded with a unanimous 4:0 vote that Dr. Soran possessed a prohibited characteristic under Section 8 (2) of the Frequency Allocation Organization Act B.E. 2553. Consequently, he was deemed to have forfeited his right to hold the position of NBTC Commissioner, leading to the termination of his term as Chairman, in accordance with Section 18 of the same Act, as amended by the Frequency Allocation Organization Act No. 4 B.E. 2564.
Dr. Soran's disqualification has cast doubt on several key resolutions made during his tenure. Notably, the 2022 True-DTAC merger deal, which was passed by a chairman's tie-breaking vote after a split decision among committee members, is now under scrutiny. The revelation that Dr. Soran was ineligible from the start strengthens the case for unions or consumer organizations to challenge the merger in the Administrative Court.
The 2023 AIS-3BB home internet merger deal, approved by a 4 to 1 vote, and the controversial selection process of a new Secretary-General for the NBTC also face potential legal challenges. The latter was previously ruled illegal by the Central Administrative Court due to Dr. Soran's unilateral decision-making without full board consultation.