Anutin orders NBTC to explain chairman's meeting notices

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to explain why its chairman continues to convene board meetings despite a court ruling concerning his eligibility to hold office.

Mr Anutin said on Saturday his office had sent an urgent letter to the NBTC secretary-general seeking clarification over meeting notices issued at the direction of NBTC chairman Dr Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck.

The move followed a Central Administrative Court ruling on Sept 25 dismissing Dr Sarana’s lawsuit challenging a decision by the NBTC member selection committee that he lacked the required qualifications or possessed a prohibited characteristic under Section 8(2) of the NBTC Act.

The committee had also ruled Dr Sarana was deemed to have relinquished his right to assume office under Section 18 of the law. The court upheld the legality of the committee’s decision and dismissed his lawsuit.

According to the letter signed by Traisuree Taisaranakul, secretary-general to the prime minister, the NBTC Office nevertheless issued notices for board meetings on Oct 1 and 2 at Dr Sarana’s direction.

The letter cited administrative court procedures stipulating that filing a lawsuit to revoke an administrative order does not suspend its enforcement unless the court orders otherwise.

It argued Dr Sarana must therefore be regarded as having relinquished his right to assume office from the outset and as never having served as an NBTC member.

The selection committee’s decision remained legally effective following the dismissal of his case, the letter said.

Mr Anutin exercised his authority under Section 76 of the NBTC Act to seek an explanation from the NBTC secretary-general over the continued issuance of meeting notices.

Asked whether it was appropriate for the NBTC to continue holding meetings, Mr Anutin declined to comment, citing the commission’s status as an independent organisation.

He said all organisations under the constitution must strictly comply with legal procedures.

Asked what advice he would offer to resolve the longstanding dispute, Mr Anutin said: “I have no advice. The advice is to follow the law.”