National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) chairman Dr Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck has questioned whether a “hidden hand” is behind efforts to remove him from office.
The regulator’s board meeting on Wednesday again failed to reach a quorum, the 11th time since late July, leaving a long list of agenda items unconsidered.
Pol Gen Nathathorn Prousoontorn and Torpong Selanon could not attend the meeting as they were on official duty, while Somphop Purivigraipong submitted written notice of his absence.
The other commissioners, AM Thanapant Raicharoen, Pirongrong Ramasoota and Suphat Suphachalasai, sent written notification that they could not join the meeting.
The regular group of NBTC commissioners has declined to attend the board meetings since July, citing Dr Sarana’s disqualification as chairman.
The NBTC selection committee ruled in late July that Dr Sarana lacked the qualifications to hold the office after failing to resign from posts prohibited by NBTC law before being appointed as a commissioner.
Dr Sarana challenged the ruling with the Central Administrative Court, which initially dismissed the case. He appealed to the Supreme Administrative Court, which overruled the lower court’s decision.
Dr Sarana said the boardroom deadlock must not be allowed to paralyse the regulator.
He insisted he was required to continue calling meetings under the law and that failure to do so could potentially constitute a dereliction of duty.
Dr Sarana urged the commissioners to return to the meetings and find a way forward.
The outstanding agenda items include the future of the digital TV broadcasting industry, satellite services and telecom infrastructure.
Dr Sarana also questioned who might benefit if he is removed from the post and why there appears to be urgency to remove him. However, he declined to identify any individual or organisation as being behind such an effort.
Dr Sarana has served as an NBTC commissioner for 4.5 years and has roughly 1.5 years remaining in his term.
He questioned whether his continued presence at the regulator could obstruct the interests of any particular party as Thailand’s broadcasting and telecom sectors enter a period of major transformation.
“If I remain in the position, who would I obstruct? What role should the NBTC play?” asked Dr Sarana, while also questioning why other commissioners cannot attend board meetings to perform their duties.
There are several tasks that need to be addressed during the remainder of his term, he noted.
Dr Sarana said he has discussed with his lawyers a possible legal request for interim relief against the NBTC selection committee’s verdict.