The Consumer Council has petitioned the Parliamentary Committee on Political Development to investigate the NBTC board and secretary for allowing Dr. Sorn to attend multiple meetings despite lacking qualifications. The issue involves an attempt to delay holding a seat connected to the 5.6 billion baht USO budget. The matter is scheduled for the committee's agenda on 13 August.
On 11 August 2026, representatives of the Consumer Organizations Council submitted a complaint to the Parliamentary Committee on Political Development, Mass Communication, and Public Participation of the House of Representatives. They requested an investigation into the conduct of the NBTC board, the NBTC secretary, and relevant officials for permitting Professor Clinician Dr. Sorn Boonyachaiyapruk to attend NBTC board meetings despite the recruitment committee's unanimous decision that he lacked the qualifications to hold the position of NBTC chairman.
Representatives of the Consumer Organizations Council stated that although the NBTC recruitment committee issued a unanimous ruling (Decision No. 1/2026) that Dr. Sorn was unqualified, he still attempted to convene NBTC board meetings four times. The most recent attempt occurred this morning but the meeting could not commence. The Consumer Council thus urges the Parliamentary Committee on Political Development to exercise its authority under Section 129 of the 2017 Constitution to investigate four main issues:
1. Investigate the NBTC secretary and staff for permitting Dr. Sorn to attend NBTC board meetings on 27 July, 5 August, and 6 August without preventing his participation, to determine if this constitutes misconduct or failure to perform duties under Criminal Code Section 157.
2. Verify whether Dr. Sorn’s continued receipt of hourly compensation at Ramathibodi Hospital’s Faculty of Medicine until 12 April 2022, after Senate approval, involved submitting false information to the Senate President under Section 137.
3. Examine if Dr. Sorn’s medical work and compensation constitute an independent profession conflicting with Sections 8(3) and 18 of the NBTC Act.
4. Review the Prime Minister’s actions for failing to order Dr. Sorn to suspend duties according to administrative law and the Constitution, which caused repeated disruptions in NBTC board meetings, to determine if this violated the law.
Ms. Phakamon Hunanun, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Political Development, said the committee will consider this matter at its meeting on Thursday, 13 August, including discussing whether Dr. Sorn’s previously received salary and benefits should be reclaimed retroactively.
Additionally, the committee will clarify why Dr. Sorn repeatedly delayed and insisted on convening NBTC board meetings, as there was an effort to approve and sign a project under the Universal Service Obligation (USO) fund for broadcasting, television, and telecommunications, with a budget of 5.6 billion baht. Suspicious circumstances were noted regarding the cancellation of the original state enterprise’s bid in favor of a new private investor. The committee will expedite fact-finding and closely monitor the royal decree process for Dr. Sorn’s removal.