NBTC Commissioner Sentenced
Court Ruling and Bail
Pirongrong Ramasoota, a commissioner of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), was sentenced to two years in prison for abuse of authority against TrueID, an Internet TV platform operator. The Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases found her guilty of malfeasance, violating Article 157 of the Criminal Code. However, Pirongrong was released on bail following her conviction, allowing her to retain her position as an NBTC commissioner for now.
Case Background
TrueID Controversy
The case stemmed from Pirongrong’s issuance of a warning letter to TrueID regarding the airing of advertisements when relaying feeds from free-to-air television channels. This action followed consumer complaints in 2023 alleging that free-to-air TV content relayed via TrueID had been modified to include advertisements.
Legal Proceedings
Court’s Decision
The court ruled that TrueID is an Over-the-Top (OTT) platform, which currently does not require a license from the NBTC. Witness testimony revealed that Pirongrong had instructed the NBTC Office to expedite the warning’s issuance, with witnesses reporting her intention to “topple a telecom giant”.
Implications and Future
Appeal Process
Pirongrong has the right to appeal the ruling while continuing her bail. If her bail request is rejected in the future, she could potentially lose her status as an NBTC commissioner upon imprisonment. This case highlights the ongoing tensions between regulatory bodies and digital platform operators in Thailand’s evolving telecommunications landscape.
