Bangkok: The Consumer Council has once again approached the Administrative Court, filing a petition to suspend the auction of the 2100 and 2300 MHz frequency bands. The council argues that the 15-year binding nature of the auction could pose risks to the national interest and potentially affect free competition and consumer rights. This move follows previous court rulings that found no urgent need for an emergency investigation into the matter.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Itthibun Onwongsa, Deputy Secretary-General of the Office of the Consumer Council, along with lawyer Mr. Wasin Pipatnachat, has filed this petition for the third time. They seek an emergency hearing and a court order to suspend the enforcement of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) announcement regarding the criteria and methods for frequency allocation for international mobile telecommunications, specifically concerning the 2100 MHz and 2300 MHz bands. The auction, scheduled for June 29, is anticipated to have only two operators participating.

Mr. Wasin emphasized the importance of the petition, highlighting concerns over the potential long-term impacts of the auction, which could bind contracts for up to 15 years. He likened the situation to a house on fire, stressing the difficulty of addressing issues once the auction proceeds. Despite the Consumer Council’s limited power to halt the auction, they hope the Administrative Court will intervene. He stated that if the auction is allowed to proceed, resulting in consumer harm, the public should be aware that the Consumer Council has made every effort to safeguard national interests.

Moreover, the Consumer Council has amended their complaint for clarity and filed an appeal to the Supreme Court. This comes after the Administrative Court dismissed their case against the NBTC, which accused the commission of neglecting its duty to protect consumers and failing to promote free competition. This dismissal has impacted the Consumer Council’s ability to mediate or take actions protecting public interests.