The Deputy Government Spokesperson responded to the video by Rakchanok concerning the TH AI Passport, saying it reflects misunderstandings. He stressed that AI is not an outdated trivial app but a new foundational structure for Thailand's economy.
On 27 May 2026, Ms. Lalida Pertvivatana, Deputy Government Spokesperson at the Prime Minister’s Office, addressed Rakchanok Srinok’s video criticizing the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society’s TH AI Passport project. She said the government welcomes all feedback on public spending but noted that some points reflect a misunderstanding of AI’s role in the modern economy.
The Deputy Spokesperson explained that comparing AI to past government apps is inaccurate because Generative AI is not a one-off application but a new foundational technology (General Purpose Technology) that affects all economic sectors and work, similar to electricity or the internet in the past.
“AI is not a fashion or a passing trend but the intellectual infrastructure of the modern global economy. If Thai people cannot access AI, they lose competitive opportunities in education, careers, and business,” the Deputy Spokesperson said.
He stated that the TH AI Passport is designed as a “centralized platform” that consolidates global AI tools in one place, aligning with the government’s National Super App strategy to reduce duplication and increase digital service access for citizens, rather than creating scattered new apps like in the past.
Regarding criticism that reducing living costs is not the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society’s role, the Deputy Spokesperson clarified that current high-level AI services cost about 700–1,000 baht per month, a burden for students and small entrepreneurs. Supporting public access to AI tools reduces “digital costs” and lessens inequality in technology access, which is the legal mandate of the Digital Economy and Society Development Fund.
He also emphasized that the project is not an unconditional free giveaway but a “Learn to Earn” system where recipients must learn and develop AI skills before accessing the Pro AI version. There is an automatic rights recycling system for inactive users to maximize benefits for the public and government budget.
The Deputy Spokesperson added that many countries worldwide have policies supporting AI access and digital workforce skill upgrades because they see AI as future economic infrastructure, not just ordinary technology tools.
Regarding budget efficiency, he noted that if 5 million people bought Pro AI services themselves, costs would total about 36 billion baht per year. However, the government’s nationwide bulk purchasing reduces this to about 1.6 billion baht, demonstrating the efficiency of state-level bargaining power.
“The government welcomes scrutiny of all projects, but criticism should be based on an understanding of technology and the changing global economic context. If Thailand continues to see AI merely as an ‘app’ like in the past, it risks losing key opportunities in global competition,” the Deputy Spokesperson said.
He reiterated that under the leadership of Anutin Charnvirakul, the government is seriously committed to developing Thai digital skills and will continue to create equal opportunities for people to access future technologies so that Thailand does not miss the global AI economy train.