The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission’s (NBTC) board meeting scheduled for Thursday is likely to be aborted again as some commissioners still insist they will not attend the meeting if chairman Dr Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck is present.
Dr Sarana urged all parties on Wednesday to work around disagreements and return to carrying out the board’s responsibilities and duties.
His remarks follow the Supreme Administrative Court’s order on Aug 31, directing the Central Administrative Court to accept his lawsuit for consideration.
In July, the NBTC selection committee ruled Dr Sarana lacked the qualifications to hold office as he failed to resign from posts prohibited by NBTC law, making him ineligible to assume a commissioner post.
In response, Dr Sarana filed a lawsuit with the Central Administrative Court, seeking to revoke the selection committee’s ruling on his qualification.
The court initially refused to accept the lawsuit, but the Supreme Administrative Court overturned its ruling.
Commissioner AM Thanapant Raicharoen reiterated his readiness to attend NBTC board meetings with the other commissioners, while reserving the right not to participate if Dr Sarana attends.
The NBTC has board meetings scheduled for Sept 2 and 3 this week.
The meeting on Wednesday was cancelled as Dr Sarana awaited the Supreme Court’s order.
NBTC board meetings have been aborted six times since July 27, as some commissioners refused to attend the meetings because of the ruling on Dr Sarana’s qualifications.
“I have considered the matter and would like to reaffirm my position on attending NBTC meetings. I remain ready to perform my duties and attend meetings with the remaining NBTC commissioners, as prescribed by law,” AM Thanapant said.
However, he said he cannot attend meetings with a person legally disqualified from his position.
AM Thanapant cited Section 18 in conjunction with Sections 8(2) and 20 of the 2010 NBTC law, which allow the remaining commissioners to continue performing their duties, and provide that the NBTC shall be deemed to consist of the commissioners who remain in office.
In addition, he noted Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has already sought royal consideration to remove Dr Sarana from office.
Meanwhile, Dr Sarana said he respects the Supreme Court’s order.
Despite the differing views, he said he believes all parties should respect the judicial process and allow legal determinations to serve as the basis for moving forward.
“From this point on, what matters most is not any individual, but ensuring that the NBTC can resume carrying out its duties fully and effectively, with unity, and move forward with important matters to prevent any adverse impact on the the country and the public interest,” Dr Sarana said.
He called on all NBTC commissioners to return to their duties and attend board meetings.
Dr Sarana said he is ready to work with all commissioners, while respecting differing opinions, putting the interests of the country above all else.