On September 30, 2026, Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) Selection Committee issued a letter to the NBTC Secretary-General instructing that Professor Dr. Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck be notified to cease performing his duties as NBTC Chairman within seven days of receiving the order, with immediate execution required upon receipt.
The letter cited NBTC Selection Committee Ruling No. 1/2569, dated July 21, 2026, which unanimously resolved that Sarana lacked the qualifications to hold the position of NBTC commissioner under Section 18, in conjunction with Section 8 (2) of the NBTC Act.
Subsequently, Sarana filed a lawsuit with the Administrative Court seeking to revoke the ruling. According to the NBTC Selection Committee’s letter, reference was made to Supreme Administrative Court Order No. 952/2569, dated August 31, 2026, stating in substance that upon receiving the ruling, the plaintiff was consequently required to vacate the position of NBTC commissioner and could no longer perform the duties of NBTC Chairman.
Meanwhile, on September 25, 2026, the Central Administrative Court dismissed the lawsuit in which Sarana requested the revocation of the selection committee’s ruling. The court held that the ruling constituted a lawful administrative order, aligning with official court reports and public media coverage regarding the judgment.
However, the NBTC Selection Committee stated that it received a complaint from NBTC commissioners on Sept. 28, 2026, reporting that Sarana was still performing the duties of NBTC Chairman. The complainants argued that this could impact the performance of duties by other commissioners, particularly regarding the scheduling of critical meeting agendas while a large number of items remain pending consideration.
The NBTC Selection Committee therefore exercised its authority under Section 63/22 of the Administrative Procedure Act (No. 3) B.E. 2562 (2019), to notify Sarana to cease performing his duties as NBTC Chairman in order to comply with the selection committee’s ruling as well as the relevant orders and judgments of the Administrative Court.
Furthermore, the letter noted that if non-compliance or violation of the administrative order continues, the NBTC Selection Committee may exercise its authority under Section 63/21 to enforce administrative sanctions, imposing an enforcement fine of THB 50,000 per day for the entire duration of the violation. The letter also requested the NBTC Secretary-General to acknowledge the order and proceed with all related actions.
