The head of Thailand’s telecoms regulator has handed in his resignation and is expected to step down on 1 September to take the position as ICT minister.

Takorn Tantasith, secretary-general of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), is said to be keen to keep his position until the preparations for the long-awaited 4G auctions are in place, the Bangkok Post said.

NBTC has come under increased scrutiny by the government since the military coupe in May 2014, with its independence also coming into question after a number of proposed changes by the government.

The cabinet in early January approved a controversial draft bill that would put the NBTC under the Digital Economy Policy Committee, which would be chaired by the prime minister. The ICT Ministry suggested at the end of last year that the so-called NBTC superboard (a special committee set up to evaluate the performance of the regulator) be given responsibility for determining the amount of spectrum and the rules for the upcoming 4G auction.

The Post reported that the current ICT minister Pornchai Rujiprapa said he was not aware of any attempt to replace him.