Though seemingly quiet, the TH-AI Passport project worth 1.621 billion baht, offering premium-level AI model access to 5 million Thais aged over 15 for one year under the National Digital Economy and Society Commission (DE), Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES), continues quietly.
Most recently, on 8 Jul 2026 GMT+7, Wethangk Pongsub, Secretary-General of DE, told reporters from the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society that the process of revising the contract appendix from a lump-sum payment of 1.6 billion baht to a pay-per-use model is not yet complete. Due to many detailed issues, the negotiation committee, which also serves as the acceptance committee, must proceed carefully and cautiously, causing some delays. However, the project value is expected to decrease.
Later on 16 Jul 2026 GMT+7, Chaiyachon Chidchob, Minister of Digital Economy and Society, was traveling in China with the Prime Minister's delegation. Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Committee studying budget administration, chaired by MP Ratchanok Srinok of the People’s Party, held a meeting to review the TH-AI Passport budget. This caused Chaiyachon to decline appearing before the committee for the third consecutive time.
Meanwhile, Patchara Anantasillap, Permanent Secretary of DES, assigned Theerawut Thongphak, Inspector General and former Deputy Secretary-General of DE, to jointly explain alongside Wethangk, adding that the contract appendix revision has been completed and is now awaiting the Attorney General’s review for compliance, as it does not align with the standard contract.
Meanwhile, Teerachart Kottrakul, opposition leader's task force member, summarized the 16 Jul 2026 meeting on his personal Facebook, stating the committee's requested documents since 23 Jun 2026 have not been received, with a reply that the information is under censorship. He also voiced concerns about privacy issues under the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA), which led to opening the PDPA law for discussion, dismissing this excuse. Wethangk confirmed that all outstanding information would be fully provided by Friday, 24 Jul 2026 GMT+7.
They tracked the DES fund, approved for over 1.621 billion baht for the TH-AI Passport project, inquiring about remaining funds and next year’s plans. The response was that this is a special year due to extra revenue from spectrum auctions, with detailed figures to be provided later, including information on previously canceled projects. However, no answers were given regarding transparency, public funding disclosure, or self-approval of funds.
The committee also received information regarding problematic advertising billboards reported in various media as costing only 900,000 baht out of 1.621 billion baht. Upon checking with billboard service providers, such specifications might cost up to ten times more, suggesting unrealistic pricing proposals. This was linked to bidders connected to billboard owners, undermining fair competition.
This aligns with Ratchanok’s view that although the project appears good and reasonable—offering free AI usage to the public—the real focus should be on specification locking and suspicions about the company undertaking the project before the terms of reference were finalized.
Next, the committee agreed to refer these concerns to investigative agencies, including the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), the Office of the Auditor General (OAG), and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).
What seemed quiet is likely waiting for a new upheaval. Whenever the project launches or the committee receives all requested documents, under the “Ratchanok” banner, this matter is unlikely to end easily.
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