Troubled NBTC head presents new evidence

Dr Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck, the chairman of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), presented fresh evidence on Tuesday to dispute the selection committee's decision that disqualified him from office due to his failure to resign from prohibited positions. This announcement followed Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's efforts to seek royal approval for removing Dr Sarana from his position following the committee's ruling.

Anutin stated that he acted in accordance with the law and due process and assured that the removal would not create a void in NBTC operations, as the six remaining commissioners could still carry out their duties. Dr Sarana submitted a document from Mahidol University, dated January 8, 2022, which he claimed confirmed his official resignation from all staff and employee roles at the institution and Ramathibodi Hospital.

He also explained that his medical work between January and April 2022 was carried out as an independent specialist to ensure patient safety during transitions. According to NBTC regulations, commissioners are required to work full-time and cannot hold other paid positions or engage in activities that could lead to conflicts of interest.

On December 22, 2021, the Senate mandated five candidates, including Dr Sarana, to resign from any prohibited positions by January 11, 2022. They all received their royal appointments on April 13, 2022. Subsequently, the NBTC selection panel received additional evidence that Dr Sarana allegedly held a temporary employee position at Ramathibodi Hospital's Faculty of Medicine, receiving hourly wages from January 8 to April 12, 2022.

Dr Sarana insisted that he was neither a government officer nor an employee, as he had resigned from his government role on January 8, 2022. During the NBTC board meeting on Tuesday, which aimed to address agenda items, the session was halted for the fourth time in succession due to the five commissioners' boycotts over Dr Sarana's eligibility to serve.

The previous three board meetings had also been aborted for the same reason. Dr Sarana questioned the committee's swift 37-day investigation without awaiting official confirmation from Mahidol University. He viewed the ongoing commissioner boycotts as a calculated strategy employed by opposing factions. Dr Sarana acknowledged the opposition's pressure on Prime Minister Anutin to expedite his dismissal based on incomplete and contentious information.

He also raised concerns about potential irregularities within the NBTC selection committee, such as the chairman's alleged 70th birthday celebration in November 2023, which could trigger retirement for NBTC board members.