NBTC Chairman's 20-million-baht lawsuit dismissed by Civil Court

The Civil Court has dismissed a 20-million-baht defamation and tort lawsuit filed by Dr. Sorana Boonbaichaiyapruck, Chairman of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), against four NBTC board members and Issara Thai Press Development Co., Ltd.

The lawsuit stemmed from news reports regarding administrative issues within the NBTC, including secretary-general appointments and budget processes. The court ruled that the four board members, as stakeholders, had the right to express opinions regarding the Chairman's performance in good faith, finding no intent to harass. The case against the media company was also dismissed because the plaintiff lacked the authority to sue the specific corporate entity for work produced by the Issara Institute.

Legal expert and former Supreme Court judge Wat Tingsamitr has highlighted this ruling as a critical development ahead of a significant NBTC board meeting scheduled for October 8, 2026, noting the heightened legal and administrative pressures facing the commission.