NBTC moves to merge two key panels

This issue surfaced after NBTC general secretary Takorn Tantasit posted on his personal Twitter account on Monday a picture of a confidential paper mentioning such an amendment to the 2010 act that established the commission. But the message was deleted around noon yesterday. Takorn denied yesterday that he posted that Twitter message but he hinted that such an amendment would be possible to unite the NBTC’s powers before the implementation of a new constitution, which could reorganise and restructure all independent bodies, including the NBTC. 

A source at the NBTC said that under this proposal, key sections related to roles and obligations of the two committees in the Act on Organisation to Assign Radio Frequency and to Regulate the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Services BE 2553 (2010) would be amended.

The key part to be amended would be in Chapter 2, “Business Operation Regulations”, covering Sections 35 to 40. Under these sections, the five members of the broadcasting committee have their own rights and powers to act on behalf of the NBTC to regulate the broadcasting industry. Separately, another five members of the telecom committee have similar obligations to take care of the telecommunications sector. 

The proposed merger would pave the way for all 11 members of the NBTC to work together as a single body to improve the efficiency of management and governing the broadcasting and telecommunications industries, with everyone moving in the same direction. It could also facilitate preparation for the transition to the digital age and next year’s implementation of the AEC.

The source said that working as one panel would help avoid a vote by a majority of voters in one committee having a legal impact on all 11 commissioners. This proposal is expected to be submitted to the government for approval before going to the National Legislative Council for final adjustment and announcement in the Royal Gazette.