NLA promises no foot dragging on new NBTC candidates

NLA promises no foot dragging on new NBTC candidates

NLA vice-president Surachai Liengboonlertchai promises no delays in finding new candidates for the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission. (Bangkok Post file photo)
NLA vice-president Surachai Liengboonlertchai promises no delays in finding new candidates for the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission. (Bangkok Post file photo)

One day after dumping all the candidates to be new broadcasting and telecommunications regulators, the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) said on Friday that attempts to search for new ones will start soon.

NLA vice-president Surachai Liengboonlertchai said the screening process to find 14 candidates for the seven positions on the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) could begin immediately.

The existing NBTC commissioners' terms expired last October but the lame-duck members continue to make some policy decisions by virtue of an extension granted by the junta. They are now expected to receive approval under Section 44 of the interim charter to prepare for crucial frequency auctions this year that will pave the way for 5G communication.

A panel appointed by the NLA will again review applications from people vying to be NBTC commissioners. It will deliver a shortlist of 14 to legislators, who will pick half of them to serve six-year terms.

The names of all of the candidates forwarded to the floor of the junta-appointed legislature on Thursday were shot down because of concern about the qualifications of eight of those on the list.

Mr Surachai said he was uncertain whether some of the unsuccessful candidates could reapply.

In the aftermath of the NLA decision, all attention was focused on an audio clip posted by Manager Online on Thursday. It recorded a conversation about at least two people on the candidate list, with the highlight being a claim referring to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

"I was informed during the holidays that the prime minister was not happy with all 14 candidates. He wanted to use the authority he had to reject them," one person says on the clip.

Gen Prayut on Friday refused to comment on the clip. "I don't know that voice," he said. When asked about his reaction, he replied: "I don't have anything to say."

His deputy, Prawit Wongsuwon, dismissed the speculation that Gen Prayut was pulling the strings behind the NLA decision to ditch all the candidates. Nobody could influence the decisions of NLA members, he said.

Jet Siratharanon, a spokesman for the NLA whips, denied members had discussed the prime minister's views of the candidates on the floor or in any whips' meetings.

NLA member Wallop Tankananurak, who voted against the decision to reject the list, said he had to respect the result.

Somchai Sawaengkarn, secretary to the whip, denied that the clip was recorded during a meeting of whip members. He said the NLA did not take orders from the prime minister to negate the candidate list.

An audio clip in Thai posted by www.manager.co.th records what is purported to be a conversation among lawmakers about the candidates for the NBTC.

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