Nattapong Ruangpanyawut criticized Pawat Pongwittayaphanu for a lack of caution after posting praise for the TH-AI Passport project. He affirmed there was no intention to exchange legal cases, and vowed to continue a rigorous investigation. He also took a jab at Digital Economy Minister Chaiyachon Chidchob for irresponsibility after repeatedly skipping budget oversight committee briefings.
At 14:00 on 17 July 2026 in Pattani province, Nattapong Ruangpanyawut, party-list MP and leader of the People’s Party, spoke about Pawat Pongwittayaphanu’s post seeming to support the TH-AI Passport project amid speculation it was to exchange for legal case favors. He said he believed Pawat had no such intention but admitted the communication lacked sufficient caution. He explained that they have long argued the project was rigged because insiders in tech circles who reviewed the app said it seemed functional but the key issue was that specifications were locked to channel off-budget state funds to private groups closely connected to the government.
Nattapong confirmed they would press on with a thorough investigation, with several parliamentary committees, especially the budget oversight committee, still tracking the matter. Regarding past incidents, Digital Economy Minister Chaiyachon Chidchob did not attend committee invitations to provide explanations, which Nattapong cited as an example of executive irresponsibility toward parliament, showing a lack of respect for the institution and a failure to fulfill his duty to respond to committee inquiries.