Praphan Khunmee stated that the NBTC Selection Committee's resolution is final. Dr. Sornon Boonbaichaiyapruk must immediately stop performing his duties without waiting for royal removal. He believes preparations will begin to meet and select a new NBTC chairman.
On 17 July 2026, after the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) Selection Committee unanimously voted 4-0 that Dr. Sornon Boonbaichaiyapruk, Chairman of the NBTC, has disqualifying characteristics under Section 8 (2) of the Frequency Allocation and Regulation of Radio, Television, and Telecommunications Act B.E. 2553 (2010) and its amendments, thus forfeiting the right to hold the NBTC commissioner position under Section 18 of the same Act, as amended by the 4th amendment in 2022. This is hereby widely announced.
. Mr. Praphan Khunmee a former senator and former member of the Senate's Information Technology, Communications, and Telecommunications Commission (ICT), said, Regarding the next steps, the NBTC Selection Committee must notify and send a report letter to the Prime Minister's Office Secretariat, since the Secretariat initially submitted the case to the committee for a final decision, so it no longer needs to be brought to the Senate. The Prime Minister's Office Secretariat will report the decision to the Prime Minister, who will then submit Dr. Sornon's name for royal removal from the NBTC chairman position under Section 20 of the NBTC Act, due to disqualification under Section 8 (2). Additionally, the NBTC Selection Committee will notify the NBTC board to convene and select a new NBTC chairman.
“The NBTC Selection Committee's resolution is legally final, and Dr. Sornon has prematurely vacated his term due to disqualification. The law clearly states he must immediately cease duties without waiting for royal removal. Dr. Sornon must stop working; he cannot stubbornly attend NBTC meetings or vote, nor can he claim acting status, since he did not complete the full six-year term. Therefore, he is no longer able to participate in NBTC meetings.”
Mr. Praphan added he believes the remaining NBTC commissioners will convene to select a new NBTC chairman to report to the Prime Minister. This is within the commissioners' authority, not the NBTC Secretariat's. To avoid causing offense to the royal office, it is expected the Prime Minister will submit Dr. Sornon's name for royal removal as NBTC chairman, along with the name of the new chairman, simultaneously.
Regarding whether Dr. Sornon can petition the Administrative Court for temporary protection against the NBTC Selection Committee's resolution, Mr. Praphan said Dr. Sornon can file with the Supreme Administrative Court, but whether the court accepts it is discretionary. Legally, the Selection Committee's resolution is final; the court may decline to accept or grant temporary protection.