A parliamentary committee is intensifying its scrutiny over the government’s TH-AI Passport project, with its chairwoman, MP Rukchanok Srinok of the People’s Party (PP), indicating that a subpoena could be issued if key officials continue to withhold crucial information. The committee is seeking to clarify amendments to the project contract, which is slated to open for public registration next month. This push for transparency comes amid concerns about the procurement process and the potential misuse of state funds.
Committee Seeks Contract Details and Documentation
The parliamentary panel has formally requested a comprehensive set of documents related to the TH-AI Passport project. These include project proposals, minutes from Fund meetings, and the specific scoring criteria used for evaluating bids across several key areas: artificial intelligence (AI) implementation, public relations strategies, training programs, and call-centre operations. The objective is to ensure that the selection process was fair, objective, and aligned with public interest.
However, MP Rukchanok expressed frustration, stating that several requested documents have yet to be provided by the relevant ministry. This lack of cooperation has fueled the committee’s determination to uncover the full details of the project’s development and contractual agreements.
Concerns Over Bidder Requirements and Scoring
A significant point of contention revolves around the project’s terms of reference (ToR). Specifically, the committee has flagged a requirement that bidders must utilize offline advertising screens ranked among the country’s top five. MP Rukchanok highlighted a perplexing aspect of this requirement: bidders reportedly submitted proposals and were awarded scores for this category without identifying the specific companies whose screens they intended to use.
“It is unclear how bidders could have been assessed against this requirement without identifying the screen providers,” Ms. Rukchanok stated, demanding a thorough explanation from the ministry. The committee questions the validity of scores awarded when a fundamental component of the bid, the advertising platform, remained unspecified.
Ministerial Absence and Potential Subpoena
The committee had invited the minister overseeing the project to testify for a fourth time. However, the minister cited an unspecified engagement and instead sent the permanent secretary to attend the hearing. According to Ms. Rukchanok, this repeated absence is becoming a significant obstacle to the committee’s work.
“If the minister continues to refuse to appear and these outstanding issues remain unresolved, the committee will consider using its powers to summon him,” Ms. Rukchanok warned. She emphasized that the committee’s rigorous scrutiny is aimed at ensuring accountability and transparency in the allocation and use of state funds, rather than engaging in political conflict. The TH-AI Passport project is also expected to be a focal point during an upcoming no-confidence debate in the next parliamentary session, indicating its high political significance.
Legal Action Against Critic and Calls for Disclosure
In a related development, Teerachart Kortrakul, founder of a fintech startup and a member of the PP’s digital economy strategy team, revealed that Human Intelligent Co., a contractor involved with the TH-AI Passport project, has filed a defamation lawsuit against him. Mr. Teerachart, who has been vocal in his criticism of the project’s procurement process, stated that the legal action would not deter his efforts to ensure public accountability.
“Public access to procurement information is a fundamental right,” Mr. Teerachart asserted. He further questioned why the details of the amended contract for the TH-AI Passport project have not been made public. Additionally, he raised concerns about whether canceling the project entirely remains a viable option given the ongoing controversies.
Ensuring Public Funds Integrity
The ongoing investigation into the TH-AI Passport project underscores a broader commitment by parliamentary oversight committees to safeguard public funds and ensure that government projects are executed with the utmost integrity and transparency. The committee’s persistence in seeking answers, even in the face of potential legal challenges and ministerial non-cooperation, highlights the importance of robust checks and balances in public administration. The outcome of this inquiry could set a precedent for future government procurements, particularly those involving significant technological investments and public data.
The committee’s next steps, including the potential issuance of a subpoena, will be closely watched as it continues its efforts to obtain the necessary documentation and explanations. The public interest in understanding how taxpayer money is being spent on initiatives like the TH-AI Passport project remains paramount.
