Lisa Phakamon confirms there is clear evidence that the NBTC Chairman lacks the required qualifications. She has called for a Political Development Committee meeting on 2 July 2026 to discuss the matter and urges Mahidol University to submit investigation documents. If the university refuses, she plans to escalate the issue to the Ministry of Higher Education.
30 June 2026 GMT+7 Ms. Phakamon Noon-anon, a party-list Member of Parliament from the Pracha Chart Party (PCP). In her capacity as Chairperson of the Political Development Committee of the House of Representatives, she revealed that the Political Development Committee will hold a meeting on Thursday, 2 July 2026, to review progress on verifying the qualifications and disqualifications of Professor Clinical Sarun Boonbaichaipruk, Chairman of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC). The committee has requested documents from Mahidol University because it holds clear evidence that Professor Sarun lacks the qualifications to serve as NBTC Chairman.
However, Mahidol University issued a statement about the investigation results assigned by the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), stating that the NBTC Chairman was not a university employee before assuming the position, was not a government employee during the appointment period, resigned from university employment before serving as NBTC Chairman, did not receive salary or compensation as a university employee while serving, and that his involvement in patient care and medical knowledge transfer was in his capacity as a physician and distinguished professor, not as a university employee.
Therefore, the committee must request the documents because we have clear evidence that contradicts Mahidol University's investigation results regarding the Chairman's qualifications. The investigation outcome is very surprising, especially coming from such a prestigious national university. Nevertheless, if Mahidol University, which claims not to be under state supervision, refuses to submit the documents, the committee will press the Ministry of Higher Education, as the supervising agency, to provide the necessary explanations.
When asked about the next steps if the NBTC selection committee ultimately decides that the Chairman does not lack qualifications, Ms. Phakamon said that they must promptly verify and compile facts for the selection committee's swift consideration. Since we have clear evidence confirming the Chairman's lack of qualifications, the decision will depend on the selection committee's resolution, and once made, no further action may be possible.