The Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry is closely examining its ambitious AI Passport project following significant public feedback and parliamentary debate. Minister Chaichanok Chidchob confirmed that all constructive comments from the House of Representatives and other platforms are being compiled to refine the initiative.
Project Scope and Funding
The project, designed to bolster Thailand’s standing in the global artificial intelligence landscape, proposes a substantial investment of 1.6 billion baht. This funding, to be drawn from the ministry’s DE Fund, aims to secure bulk subscriptions for up to 12 AI models. The objective is to grant access to premium AI platforms for as many as 5 million Thai citizens over a one-year period. Ministry officials project this will provide access at a cost of approximately 27 baht per month, a significant reduction from the typical 700 to 1,000 baht monthly fees for pro-level AI subscriptions.
Concerns Raised in Parliament
However, the project has faced pointed questions. People’s Party MP Rukchanok Srinork has advocated for a temporary halt, citing concerns about the rapid contractor selection process. Allegations have been made that the project’s terms of reference may have been tailored to favor a specific bidder, with questions also arising about potential connections between the selected company and prior government contracts.
The winning bid was awarded to the TH Consortium, a partnership comprising Turnkey Communication Services Plc, an established Thai ICT solutions provider, and Human Intelligence Co Ltd, a joint venture involving Thai and Hong Kong investors currently involved in developing digital education infrastructure within Thailand.
Demand vs. Funding Availability
Further scrutiny came from People’s Party list-MP Pawoot Pongvitayapanu. He questioned whether the TH-AI Passport initiative genuinely addresses public demand for AI services or if it is primarily driven by the availability of DE funds, which are supported by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC).
Patchara Anuntasilpa, the permanent secretary of the DE Ministry, clarified that the DE Fund operates independently of the regular state budget, thus not requiring cabinet approval for such projects. Mr. Pawoot, however, pointed out that the current terms of reference lack clarity on how the project will directly benefit entrepreneurs, students, or researchers, and do not present supporting data on demand within these demographics.
Capacity and Alternatives
Questions have also been raised regarding the project’s technical capacity. While proposing access to eight AI models, the project reportedly does not define clear usage limits, potentially leading to unforeseen future costs. Mr. Pawoot suggested that the system’s capacity might be insufficient for a nationwide rollout, risking delays or system crashes if a large number of users attempt simultaneous access.
In comparison, Mr. Pawoot highlighted the OKMD AI Playground platform, developed by the Office of Knowledge Management and Development at an estimated cost of 2.4 million baht. This platform offers a consolidated access point to various leading AI tools, eliminating the need for individual registrations with multiple providers.
Concluding his remarks, Mr. Pawoot urged the government to suspend the project for a thorough review, suggesting that the TH-AI Passport appears designed to utilize budget allocations rather than respond to proven public demand. While expressing support for expanding AI accessibility, he stated, “I support efforts to expand public access to AI, but I don’t support implementing the project in this manner.”
