His resignation is to pave way for the establishment of a "Digital for Economy and Society Ministry" to replace the ICT Ministry. The law governing the establishment of this new ministry is expected to be published in the Royal Gazette soon.The ICT Ministry had been expected to permit TOT to kick off the roll-out of broadband access in 20,000 villages this month in the first phase of the 30,000-village project.Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said the Cabinet acknowledged Uttama's resignation at its meeting yesterday and Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha had assigned Deputy PM Prajin Juntong, who is in charge of ICT policy, to oversee the ministry on an interim basis.It has yet to be confirmed whether Uttama will be reappointed to the Digital Ministry or if Prayut will nominate someone else as minister.One main task of the new ministry is to reform the satellite industry, after the Cabinet's recent acknowledgement of the ICT Ministry's reform proposal.

Source: The Nation Bangkok September 13, 2016 18:00 UTC