Bangkok: "Natthapong" leads the budget and IT teams in proposing the cancellation of the TH-AI Passport, asserting that the 1.6 billion baht could be used to develop the industry instead.
According to Thai News Agency, today at the Parliament building, MPs from the People's Party, led by party leader Mr. Nattapong Ruangpanyawut, held a shadow cabinet meeting. The party's budget and IT teams presented evidence highlighting irregularities in the TH-AI Passport project, which requires a budget of 1.6 billion baht. The shadow cabinet affirmed that the Prime Minister must order the cancellation of the project and proposed alternative solutions, suggesting that the funds be used to develop the country's AI industry instead of purchasing services from abroad.
Mr. Teerachart Kaotrakul, a member of the opposition leader's working group in the House of Representatives and the People's Party's digital policy team, stated that following the feedback received, three questions regarding the suspicious aspects of the project remain unanswered by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE). These questions include concerns about the Terms of Reference (TOR) adjustments, project urgency, and additional advertising screens in convenience stores.
Ms. Rakchanok Srinok, a party-list MP from the People's Party, revealed evidence indicating systemic corruption in this project. Evidence suggests that the project was ordered today but completed last year, with digital footprints found to be files created before the public hearing and bidding process. Similar projects have been found in two other ministries, totaling almost 10 billion baht, prompting calls for a review or scrapping of the Terms of Reference (TOR).
In terms of proposals, Mr. Pawut Pongwitayaphanu, a party-list MP, suggested reallocating the budget to invest in computing hardware for national digital infrastructure and supporting existing AI technologies in Thailand. He proposed measures such as supporting startups, attracting global technology companies, and promoting skills development to increase employment, avoiding intermediaries for AI purchases, and pursuing G2G agreements.
Mr. Nattapong concluded that the decision to proceed with or cancel the TH-AI Passport project will indicate whether the government is committed to pushing AI as a national agenda or merely interested in the budget from AI projects. He criticized the lack of action from the National Artificial Intelligence Action Plan Steering Committee and urged the Prime Minister to suspend the project and ensure transparency in the use of the DE fund. He warned that further information would be revealed if no action is taken, and complaints would be filed with relevant agencies such as the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).