Thailand’s Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) are facing governance issues that could delay decisions affecting national energy and digital infrastructure. The ERC is operating with four of its seven commissioners, while repeated failures to reach a quorum have disrupted NBTC meetings.
The ERC is currently operating at the minimum legal quorum, meaning the absence or abstention of one commissioner could prevent the board from taking decisions. The situation is affecting progress on key energy policies, including the Power Development Plan (PDP), electricity tariff decisions and a proposed 2,000 MW Direct Power Purchase Agreement (Direct PPA) pilot. The latest PDP is expected to become clearer in September 2026.
The ERC commissioner selection process has been delayed since 2024. On May 12, 2026, the Cabinet cancelled the appointment of all eight members of the previous selection panel and ordered the process to restart. No new ERC chairman has yet been confirmed.
The NBTC is experiencing separate internal divisions. Its August 11 meeting failed to proceed due to a lack of quorum, marking the fourth failed meeting within several weeks. The disruption has affected 44 urgent items out of 99 agenda items and comes as the regulator considers issues including terrestrial digital television licences, over-the-top (OTT) services and satellite regulations.
The future of Thailand’s terrestrial digital television framework is particularly time-sensitive, with existing licences due to expire in 2029. The NBTC is also developing rules for OTT platforms and revising regulations covering foreign satellite channels, while the expansion of low-Earth-orbit satellite systems is adding further regulatory considerations.