Thai Civil Society Calls for Criminal Charges Against NTC Officials Over Meeting Obstruction

Key summary

Civil society networks in Thailand have urged Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and the remaining six members of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to pursue criminal and disciplinary actions against Dr. Saran Srivichai, former NTC chairman, and Mr. Trairat Viriyasirikul, acting NTC secretary-general. The group alleges that these officials intentionally violated laws by obstructing NTC meetings, refusing to accept official meeting minutes from the remaining commissioners, and facilitating Dr. Saran's unauthorized participation as a commissioner despite a unanimous ruling by the Selection Committee declaring him ineligible. Mr. Trairat admitted in a statement on October 22, 2026, that he was instructed to block the special meeting of the six remaining commissioners without official authorization from the NTC office. The civil society network claims this conduct caused at least 15 meetings to be cancelled, disrupting public services in broadcasting, television, and telecommunications. They cite a ruling by the Administrative Court on October 24, 2026, which upheld the Selection Committee's decision and dismissed Dr. Saran's lawsuit, noting he must pay fines and cannot perform duties. The activists demand that the acting secretary-general and former chairman face charges under Section 157 of the Penal Code for dereliction of duty and other corruption-related offenses regarding overlapping interests.