Amended law for slimmed-down NBTC passed

[rooster59]

Amended law for slimmed-down NBTC passed

By THE NATION

 

THE NATIONAL Legislative Assembly yesterday passed an amendment to the law governing the make-up of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) in an overwhelming vote at the legislation’s third reading.

 

The amended law requires the appointment of seven commissioners, down from 11 under the earlier form of the law. 

 

Each of the seven commissioners will come from a background in radio broadcasting, TV broadcasting, telecommunications, engineering, law, economics, and consumer protection or human rights promotion.

 

The commissioners must be Thais, aged between 40 and 70.

 

 The amendment was carried with 197 of the 199 votes cast; two NLA members abstained.

 

The Secretariat of the Senate will be responsible for the appointment of the NBTC selection committee. 

 

This committee will comprise one judge each from the Constitution Court, the Supreme Court and the Supreme Administrative Court judge, and one member each from the National Anti-Corruption Commission, the Auditor General’s Office, and the Ombudsman’s office, as well as the Bank of Thailand governor.

 

Compensation

 

The regulatory body is empowered to reclaim idled spectra from their state holders for reallocation. However, the NBTC must compensate them for any reclaimed spectra.

 

The NBTC will award commercial broadcasting and telecom spectrum licences via auction. Telecom spectra will also be awarded via auction, but other means can be applied in cases where there is sufficient spectra available or the spectra is used for non-commercial purposes.

 

A key role for the NBTC is to support the government in coordinating with local and international bodies on spectrum management. 

 

It also support the government in procuring satellite and satellite orbital slots, in line with the country's policies to promote technological development.

 

The terms of the existing NBTC commissioners will end in October this year. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/business/EconomyAndTourism/30310950

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-04-01

[Srikcir]

16 hours ago, rooster59 said:

A key role for the NBTC is to support the government in coordinating ....

... more censorship with all new members nominated with the approval of the NCPO. This is a must-do before political campaigns begin for the next elections.

[Srikcir]

16 hours ago, rooster59 said:

 The amendment was carried with 197 of the 199 votes cast; two NLA members abstained.

Typical rubber-stamp vote.

But "abstained" is not "absent."

 

There were 49 members who were absent from the vote. The NLA has 250 members but frequently records only no more than 200 "present."  Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s brother General Preecha is one of those frequent absentees. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/breakingnews/30307099