Politics
NBTC Chairman Challenges Dismissal Process Amid New Evidence
Dr. Sarana, the NBTC Chairman, has presented new documentation to contest his removal, questioning the selection committee's timeline and the pressure placed on the Prime Minister.
According to a report by Prachachat Business on August 11, 2026, Dr. Sarana, the Chairman of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), is actively challenging his recent dismissal. Despite the Prime Minister signing a petition for his removal, Dr. Sarana has released new evidence regarding his employment status with Mahidol University. He asserts that he had already ceased his employment as an employee of the university before the Prime Minister submitted the request for his removal to the King.
Dr. Sarana has publicly questioned the NBTC selection committee, asking why they proceeded with such urgency and failed to wait for these critical documents before finalizing their decision. He further raised concerns regarding external pressures exerted on the Prime Minister to expedite the removal process, characterizing the situation as unjust.
For residents and expatriates in Thailand, this development is significant as it highlights ongoing instability within the regulatory body that oversees the nation’s telecommunications and broadcasting sectors. While this legal and administrative dispute does not directly impact daily travel or visa status, it may influence future policy decisions regarding digital infrastructure and media regulation. It remains to be confirmed how the courts and the government will respond to this new evidence and whether the dismissal process will be subject to further legal review.