The chairman of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has insisted that his selection method for the regulator's new secretary-general complies with his authority and responsibility under the law.
The selection process for the position is set to be completed by April. The post has been vacant since Takorn Tantasith's term ended in September 2020.
NBTC chairman Dr Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck yesterday held a press conference to clarify his stance.
While the chairman wants to be the one who chooses the secretary-general and proposes the name to other NBTC commissioners for approval, some commissioners are doubtful if his selection method complies with the related NBTC law and regulations.
During the previous recruitment of the secretary-general, the NBTC opened up applications to the post, and the candidates had to go through the qualification process and interview process before the final shortlist of qualified candidates was sent to the NBTC board for a vote.
"I did not do anything illegal, but the law gives me authority to do it," Dr Sarana said. He cited Section 61 of the NBTC Act, which stipulates that the chairperson, with the consent of the NBTC board, shall appoint the secretary-general.
"The chairman will appoint the secretary-general and the NBTC board shall vote to approve the appointment of the position," he said.
He said that the secretary-general will have to work closely with the chairman. The chairman is also responsible for the NBTC office and management. It is not practical if the commissioners jointly select a secretary-general to work closely with him without his approval of that person, he added.
Dr Sarana cited the appointment of Mr Takorn in 2011, when the recruitment was publicly open and the selection process carried out through a qualification process and interviews. The appointment was decided by voting from the commissioners.
Later, to extend Mr Takorn's term, NBTC chairman ACM Thares Punsri proposed Mr Takorn as secretary-general to the NBTC board without going through the normal selection process. The board voted in favour of Mr Takorn's term extension.
Dr Sarana said this showed that the appointment of the secretary-general could be carried out through both an open application process and a special process.
