Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has appointed a new seven-member Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to replace the previous team which he accused of working too slowly and sparking frequent conflicts with investors.
Exercising Section 44 of the interim charter, Gen Prayut bypassed what he called the "lengthy" procedures to pick new members including Buntoon Srethasirote as the new spokesman of the national reform committee on environment and former science and technology minster Atchaka Sibunruang.
His order was announced in the Royal Gazette on Friday.
The other new members are ERC Chairman Samoechai Suksumek and four commissioners: Sutham Yunaitham, Chanwit Ammatamathuchat, Phiraphong Atchariyachiwin and Sahat Prathaknukun.
Their tenure is supposed to run for six years but the commission is required to draw lots to remove three people every three years.
The ERC plays a key role in regulating the electricity and gas businesses but its image has been tarnished by claims of meddling by politicians.
Energy Minister Siri Jirapongphan said earlier that three previously installed commissioners would retire or voluntarily resign this year.
In June, the Stock Exchange of Thailand-listed Gulf Energy Development petitioned the Administrative Court to act against the ERC after it rejected the company's request to be a shipper for the liquefied natural gas business.
