Sukit voted in as NBTC chair

Sukit Khamasunthorn was voted the new chairman of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission to replace Thares Punsri at a special meeting yesterday of the NBTC board.

The existing seven commissioners of the board will now serve as an interim panel until a new board is recruited, as all seven ended their six-year working term yesterday.

NBTC secretary-general Takorn Tantasith said the seven commissioners spent only three minutes before unanimously selecting Gen Sukit, 66, for the new seat.

ACM Thares ended his term on Oct 5 after turning 70, adhering to the terms of the NBTC Act.

The existing NBTC board has eight members, including its secretary-general.

While the NBTC board is now working as an interim panel, under the new NBTC law, which went into effect on June 23, the board will carry on with the same authority and responsibilities until the government officially appoints the new panel.

But Mr Takorn said the NBTC should not make or approve any new regulations on important issues that may result in a legal backlash, including auctions for spectrum licences.

The existing NBTC board will hold a meeting on Oct 11 to consider a clear definition of its tasks, including what it can and can't do, before the new NBTC board is appointed.

"It is difficult to tell when the new NBTC board will be completely recruited," Mr Takorn said.

The National Legislative Assembly's selection committee for recruiting the new NBTC board is hammering out a draft on the qualifications and recruitment process for the next panel.