Thailand's telecoms regulator threw out internal opposition against its right to approve the merger between True Corp and Dtac.
Board member Prawit Leesathapornwongsa proposed Thailand’s Council of State, a department that sits under the prime minister and advises state businesses, clarify whether the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has the legal right to approve the deal, reported Bangkok Post.
Prawit also requested a public hearing for the merger and a time frame for NBTC to assess the deal. A source speaking to Bangkok Post said the board agreed to a clear time frame.
The merger has stirred controversy over fears of competition being stifled. This was a concern voiced by the supervisory board to the NBTC, rival operator AIS, and the country's consumer authority.