The Central Administrative Court has summoned National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) chairman Dr Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck and the NBTC selection committee for a trial to establish the facts in their legal dispute, following the latter’s ruling to disqualify Dr Sarana from office.
The court scheduled an inquiry hearing for both parties at 8.30am on Sept 21.
The court issued this order on Sept 9, accepting Dr Sarana’s plaint against the selection committee for consideration and directing that proceedings be expedited.
Dr Sarana was selected by the Senate as an NBTC commissioner on Dec 20, 2021, before being appointed NBTC chairman by royal command, effective April 13, 2022.
The dispute arose after the NBTC selection committee ruled on July 21 that he lacked the qualifications to hold office because he failed to resign from posts prohibited under the NBTC law before becoming eligible to assume the commissioner post.
Dr Sarana disagreed with the ruling, arguing the selection committee no longer had the authority to determine his qualifications.
He filed a lawsuit with the Central Administrative Court on Aug 3, seeking an order to revoke the panel’s ruling on his qualifications.
The court initially refused to accept the lawsuit. However, the Supreme Administrative Court on Aug 31 overturned the lower court’s refusal to hear Dr Sarana’s challenge.
The NBTC board meeting yesterday was called off due to a lack of quorum, prompting Dr Sarana to postpone the meeting until Sept 16.