Senate bill shakes up NBTC board selection process

The selection of board members of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is likely to be derailed after the Senate on Monday pushed through a bill amending the NBTC act, triggering the start of the new board selection process within 15 days after the legislation is enforced.

The shortlist of 14 candidates vying for seven board member positions was announced by the Senate Secretariat’s NBTC board selection committee on Jan 21. The seven new board members are expected to be announced by the end of this month.

The names in the shortlist have raised eyebrows among observers since various big names, including former NBTC secretary-general Takorn Tantasith, were left off.

The selection comes as lawmakers are deliberating the bill amending the NBTC act, which also touches upon the board recruitment process.

The Senate yesterday voted 194-3 to…