The government emphasized that the news stating "the Cabinet approved a 497 million baht budget to upgrade the weather forecasting system" is false. It confirmed that the Cabinet has not passed any resolution approving the purchase of weather forecasting technology. It warned that disseminating false news carries severe penalties, including up to 5 years imprisonment and a fine of 100,000 baht.
On 2 October 2026, Ms. Ploytale Laksamisangchan, Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office, revealed that social media reports claimed the Cabinet had approved an international cooperation project to upgrade Thailand's weather forecasting system using satellite technology and artificial intelligence (AI), with a budget of 497 million baht for fiscal year 2027. The government, through the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES), affirmed that this is a false report that distorts facts, causing misunderstanding and confusion in society.
Ms. Ploytale explained that the international cooperation project involving the use of satellite technology and AI, as used by reputable international organizations like NASA and NOAA, was conducted over three months (December 2025 to February 2026) at no cost. This pilot phase has now concluded, and a study report was presented on the benefits of satellite and AI technology in data analysis and integration, which originated from cooperation initiated during the previous government.
Ms. Ploytale emphasized that no procurement or purchase of any technology has taken place to date, and the draft budget law for fiscal year 2027 has not yet come into effect. Previously, Mr. Chaichon Chidchob, Minister of Digital Economy and Society, instructed the Meteorological Department to enhance the weather forecasting system using technology, but no decisions have been finalized regarding the specific technologies or methods to be employed. The government reiterated a warning that spreading distorted or false information on social media risks violating the Computer Crime Act, Section 14, punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment, a fine of up to 100,000 baht, or both.