Thailand Submits Royal Petition to Remove NBTC Chief Dr. Sarana Amid Board Deadlock
Prime Minister signs petition to dismiss NBTC Chairman Dr. Sarana, while Anutin insists procedures follow the law and Dr. Sarana appeals to the Supreme Administrative Court.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- The Prime Minister submitted a royal petition to remove Dr. Sarana Boonbauchairoj from the NBTC board.
- Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed that all legal procedures and steps have been strictly followed.
- Dr. Sarana filed an appeal with the Supreme Administrative Court within the 30-day timeframe.
- Pakorn Nilprapan assured that previous board resolutions and orders remain legally intact under Section 19.
Tensions within Thailand's Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) have escalated following the latest administrative moves to dismiss senior leadership. This comes as board meetings have collapsed for the fourth consecutive time, highlighting deep internal divisions that remain unresolved.
Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated that he has signed the official documents to submit a royal petition seeking a royal command to relieve Dr. Sarana Boonbauchairoj of his duties as NBTC Chairman and commissioner. He emphasized that every step of the process has strictly adhered to the rule of law.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Meanwhile, Dr. Sarana clarified the recent Central Administrative Court ruling which dismissed his petition to revoke the selection committee's resolution. He explained that the court's order does not mean he has been stripped of his position or authority, noting the court's rationale that since his removal has not yet been finalized, he is not yet considered an aggrieved party in this specific stage.
"I still have to carry out my duties and powers until there is a royal command relieving me of my position. I am currently in the process of appealing the court's order within the 30-day timeframe and will continue to fight the legal issues involved."
Dr. Sarana Boonbauchairoj
Reports indicated that on the same day, Dr. Sarana formally filed an appeal against the lower court's ruling with the Supreme Administrative Court. He requested the higher court to overturn the dismissal, accept his lawsuit dated August 3, 2026, and grant a temporary injunction or interim relief against the administrative order.
The dismissal of heads of independent regulatory bodies in Thailand often involves intricate administrative law principles, particularly Section 19 of the Administrative Procedure Act. This provision is designed to prevent legal vacuums and maintain public administration continuity, ensuring that past resolutions and official actions enacted by officials later found disqualified are not rendered retroactively void, thereby protecting third-party rights and legal stability.
Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilprapan addressed concerns regarding the validity of previous resolutions issued during Dr. Sarana's tenure. He assured that Section 19 of the Administrative Procedure Act applies universally when officials are ruled to lack qualifications, safeguarding administrative stability so that third parties are not harmed and ongoing state operations remain unaffected.
Source: Matichon Politics
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