Telecom regulators barred from taking other paid employment but Sarana continued working as a physician
National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) chairman Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck speaks to reporters after signing a memorandum of understanding with the National Institute for Emergency Medicine for a public safety project on June 25, 2026. (Photo: NBTC)
Dr Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck is expected to face a prolonged legal battle after being disqualified from serving as a member and chairman of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), legal experts say.A four-member Senate committee that oversees the selection of NBTC commissioners ruled unanimously on Friday that Dr Sarana lacked the statutory qualifications required to hold office, based on Article 8(2) of the NBTC Act of 2010.
The ruling followed a long-running dispute over whether Dr Sarana maintained outside professional roles while serving as an NBTC commissioner. Uncertainty about his status had slowed the work of the regulator, telecom and broadcast industry executives complained.
The law requires commissioners to work full-time and prohibits them from holding other paid positions or engaging in occupations that could create direct or indirect conflicts of interest.
