PM urged to intervene as NBTC commissioners revolt

Dr Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck

Commissioners at the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) have asked Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to intervene in the case of the NBTC chairman’s qualifications to untangle the deadlock at the regulator.The Senate’s NBTC selection committee ruled on July 17 that Dr Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck was not qualified to hold office under the 2010 NBTC Act, as he had violated the prohibition on outside employment.

The law requires commissioners to work full-time and prohibits them from holding other paid positions or engaging in occupations that could create conflicts of interest.

NBTC commissioners receive a monthly salary and position allowance totalling 360,000 baht. The chairman’s remuneration totals 450,000 baht a month.

A renowned cardiologist, Dr Sarana resigned his position as a clinical professor at Mahidol University after the Senate appointed him to the NBTC in December 2021. He was appointed chairman in April 2022.