Young lawyer moves to end NBTC crisis with court bid against chairman

(Photo: 123RF)

A 26-year-old lawyer has filed a petition with the Central Administrative Court, seeking a ruling to remove Dr Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck, chairman of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), from office, arguing that his continued tenure has paralyzed the regulator and caused damage to consumers and the public interest.Sarunporn Meesil, who identified herself as an ordinary Thai citizen and telecom service user, asked the court to rule that Dr Sarana possesses a characteristics prohibited under the NBTC law, in line with an earlier unanimous ruling by the NBTC selection committee last month.

She also requested an injunction prohibiting him from performing his chairman duties.

According to her petition, the request aims to resolve the legal impasse that has repeatedly prevented the NBTC board from convening and carrying out its statutory responsibilities.

Ms Sarunporn argued that as a user of telecommunications and broadcasting services regulated by the NBTC, she has suffered direct harm because the regulator has been unable to deliberate on major policy matters affecting consumers and the country.