Dr. Sorn issued his first detailed statement affirming he resigned from state employment as of 8 Jan 2022 but continued patient care including heart catheterizations and balloon angioplasty, and patient referrals, acting as a volunteer psychiatrist while awaiting royal appointment. He stressed his disagreement with the selection committee's resolution and plans to take legal action.
On 20 Jul 2026, Dr. Sorn Bunbchaipruk, Chairman of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), issued his first statement following the NBTC board's unanimous resolution on 17 Jul 2026 that he was disqualified under Section 8(2) of the Frequency Allocation Organization Act of 2010 (amended 2022), thus forfeiting his right to serve as NBTC commissioner under Section 18 of the same Act. The selection committee is expected to notify the NBTC chairman of this decision. Dr. Sorn affirmed he resigned from state employment on 8 Jan 2022, thereby ending all permanent employment status. Regarding allegations about his medical duties during the waiting period for royal appointment, he explained that these were patient referrals conducted in accordance with medical ethics to ensure patient confidence, not professional practice or employment. "During that period, I was not acting as a hospital employee or staff but performing duties according to medical professional standards and ethics as an independent practitioner. I was not an employee."
Dr. Sorn further stated that after completing his duties of caring for existing patients and handing them over to other physicians, he ceased medical practice before the royal appointment decree. "The fact is that during that time, I still had scheduled patient care responsibilities including heart catheterizations, balloon angioplasty, and patient referrals to other doctors in a continuous manner. I needed to explain and reassure patients about their treatment. These duties were performed as an independent medical professional according to the standards and ethics of the medical profession. After completing all these tasks, I ended my medical practice prior to the royal appointment decree."
Regarding legal issues, Dr. Sorn stated in his declaration that there is no clear legal provision specifying which person or organization has the authority to decide on this matter. He disagrees with the selection committee's role in making this judgment and intends to proceed through legal channels. "Throughout my career, I have adhered to honesty and have always performed my duties according to the ethics of the medical profession."