Pirongrong Ramasoota Appeals Court Ruling, Retains NBTC Position
PUBLISHED: 6 Feb 2025 at 17:51
UPDATED: 6 Feb 2025 at 18:14
Pirongrong Ramasoota, a member of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), has been sentenced to two years in jail for dereliction of duty linked to a complaint filed by a telecom company. However, she is appealing the conviction while being granted bail, allowing her to retain her position within the regulatory board.
The Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases ruled recently that Ramasoota displayed intent to harm a major telecom conglomerate, which constituted dereliction of duty according to the legal provisions. She maintains that her actions were in line with her responsibilities, as she had alerted the public about unauthorized commercials being broadcast on digital television.
The court imposed a non-suspended two-year jail sentence but granted bail set at 300,000 baht, provided she does not leave the country during the appeal process. This decision enables Ramasoota to continue serving on the NBTC board.
After the ruling, she expressed gratitude for the support she received, stating, “Thank you for all your support,” as she exited the Bangkok courthouse.
The legal troubles began in 2023 when the NBTC received complaints concerning TrueID, a subsidiary of True Corporation, which was allegedly airing advertisements on its digital television platform. Ramasoota, chairing the NBTC’s broadcasting committee, instructed notifications to be sent to 127 broadcasters, indicating that True Digital’s operations were unauthorized under current regulations. The notification was intended to remind broadcasters of the must-carry principle regarding free-to-air channels.
True Digital subsequently filed a complaint against both the NBTC and Ramasoota, arguing that the warning damaged its reputation and strained relationships with other television channels. The company claimed that at the time, the NBTC had not established any formal rules governing over-the-top (OTT) services.
Ramasoota defended her stance, insisting her actions were purely protective of consumer interests and not targeted specifically at True Digital. Support for her surged on social media, with the hashtag #savepirongrong trending among users expressing solidarity.
Dr. Sarana Boonbaichaiyapeuck, chairman of the NBTC board, noted that if Ramasoota chose to step down, it could complicate decision-making within the board, potentially leading to scenarios requiring her to cast a tie-breaking vote.
The NBTC is scheduled for its next board meeting on February 14. As it stands, Ramasoota can continue to fulfill her duties, but she faces legal risks if she participates in discussions regarding True Corporation while her case is pending.
