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[Garcia]

"Information and Communications Technology Minister Mun Patanotai reaffirmed that the Senate would have the authority to appoint a single national telecom and broadcasting regulator to ensure its neutrality and independence. Mun made the remark at the second hearing of the draft law governing the establishment of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) in Chiang Mai.

The minister withdrew the draft law from consideration by Parliament and is holding region-wide public hearings. This follows heavy public criticism that the law could pave the way for possible political interference in the NBTC appointment.

In selecting a NBTC commissioner, parties will be invited to submit a combined name list of 20 representatives for the ICT ministry's consideration. The ministry will appoint 10 of them as NBTC commissioners and forward their names for Cabinet approval.

The NBTC will have 10 commissioners - two from the radio-broadcasting industry, two from television broadcasting, three from telecoms and three from the combined fields of economics and law. The hearing process on the draft law is expected to be completed this month and Mun will forward it to Parliament next month."

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/08/18...cs_30080786.php

[DOLLY]

Information and Communications Technology Minister Mun Patanotai reaffirmed that the Senate would have the authority to appoint a single national telecom and broadcasting regulator to ensure its neutrality and independence.

If you read that article, it's impossible to see how the senate will have anything to do with picking the people on the board. You also wonder why on earth they are putting 7 out of 10 people from the regulated industries on the board. It will make the board a tool of the industry, not the public interest. The Thais just don't seem to want to do anything about conflicts of interest.