Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul acknowledged on Tuesday a Senate committee's resolution that National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) chairman Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck no longer qualifies to remain in office.
Mr Anutin told reporters that any legal implications would have to be considered under the relevant laws, adding that all parties had the right to appeal. However, he said he had not yet been formally informed of the resolution.
Last week, the Senate committee responsible for selecting NBTC members voted unanimously, 4-0, that Dr Sarana had breached Section 8(2) of the NBTC Act of 2010, causing him to lose the qualifications required to hold office under Section 18 of the amended Act.
The resolution followed a long-running dispute over whether Dr Sarana had continued working in outside professional roles while serving as an NBTC commissioner. The law requires commissioners to serve full-time and prohibits them from holding other positions that could create conflicts of interest.
Meanwhile, Thammasat University law lecturer Prinya Thaewanarumitkul said Dr Sarana no longer had legal grounds to remain NBTC chairman.
Mr Prinya said Section 8(2) of the NBTC Act prohibits commissioners from being employees of state agencies, arguing that Dr Sarana's paid hourly work as a doctor clearly placed him in that category.
He warned the PM to act as soon as he receives a formal notification of the resolution.
