Prasert explained that he had undergone a thorough screening of his qualifications and was therefore eligible to serve as a minister. He denied any connection to the iris scan MOU case or the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) investigation, and referred MP Rom to ask Chaiyachon directly about the MOU cancellation.
At 18:20 on 10 Apr 2026 at the parliament, Prasert Chantrawangthong, Minister of Education, clarified allegations raised by opposition MPs questioning his qualifications amid an ongoing investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) related to a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on iris scanning signed when he was Minister of Digital Economy and Society in the previous government. He stated he had been carefully screened and was qualified to hold ministerial office. Regarding the MOU mentioned by critics, he said there was misinformation, as the iris scanning was unrelated to the MOU and occurred after the MOU was signed. He emphasized he had never been informed of nor involved in any iris scan activities. The MOU had been reviewed by several agencies including the Council of State, the Attorney General’s Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the legal team of the Ministry of Digital Economy, confirming it was a digital cooperation agreement aimed at promoting digital economic growth, with no obligations detrimental to the government. The MOU has since been canceled. He said he did not know any of the companies involved in the signing and had never received any benefits. As for his meeting with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), he provided information as a witness, not as an accused, and had never been charged by the NACC.
This prompted Rangsiman Rom, a party-list MP from the People’s Party, to protest, noting that although Prasert claimed he was not prosecuted by the NACC because the case had been referred onward as reported, he should clarify this further. Rom also questioned why, if Prasert stated the MOU was unrelated to the iris scanning, Minister Chaiyachon had simultaneously canceled both the MOU and the iris scan project. Prasert responded that he had never been accused by the NACC in this matter and suggested that questions about Minister Chaiyachon’s actions should be directed to Chaiyachon himself, as he could not answer on his behalf.