Nan Boonthida criticized Ice Rakchanok for having an undemocratic mindset after accusing the public consultation forum of whitewashing the TH-AI PASSPORT project. She emphasized that everyone was invited and no one was barred from attending the event.
On 9 June 2026 at the Bhumjaithai Party headquarters, Ms. Nan Boonthida Somchai, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy and Society, spoke about the upcoming TH-AI PASSPORT public consultation forum on Thursday. She said that Mr. Chaichanok had assigned her and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society to collect all opinions from online sources and various areas. Currently, the information seems one-sided, so she believed it was better to hold a consultation forum. This forum does not specify who can attend but invites anyone interested in the project to point out any flaws or suggest additions. Since no one yet understands the full content of the project, the forum will provide a chance to hear diverse views. The ministry is not restricting attendance but welcoming everyone to provide feedback on the project.
When asked if opinions expressed at the forum could lead to changes, given that the project already has a contractor, Ms. Nan Boonthida said opinions can be interpreted in various ways. Some may pertain to contractual terms, while others may fall outside the contract. If the feedback is constructive and the contractor or developers agree it can be implemented, preliminary negotiations may follow. However, she urged waiting for the official conclusions from the consultation.
Ms. Nan Boonthida said the consultation forum represents a new precedent. It is well known that government projects require public hearings before contracts are signed. This project did have such hearings, but at that time no one provided feedback. Now that the project is underway with a contractor, opinions are emerging. The ministry wants to seize this opportunity, viewing the project as beneficial and wishing to improve it according to public intent. The goal is to emulate other countries that distribute similar services broadly, but budget constraints prevent this. For example, Singapore provides rights to slightly more citizens but for a shorter period and with higher costs. She emphasized that the ministry focuses on cost-effectiveness and benefits for all citizens, not targeting any specific group.
Regarding the case where Ms. Rakchanok Srinok, a party-list MP from the People’s Party, stated that the consultation forum would serve as a whitewashing platform for the project, Ms. Nan Boonthida responded that if it were a whitewashing event, only selected individuals would be invited to provide positive feedback. However, the forum is open and public, welcoming all opinions. Therefore, labeling it as whitewashing is misleading and she urged people not to direct society in this way but to focus on substantive discussion. Now, anyone supporting the project—despite societal differences of opinion—is entitled to their views, whether positive, negative, or neutral. Thus, accusing anyone of whitewashing is wrong. She viewed such accusations as reflecting an undemocratic mindset by implying that everyone cannot hold differing opinions.