Anti-Corruption Committee Questions TH-AI Passport Transparency

Matichon•Politics•1d ago

Reader Briefing

Thailand's Anti-Corruption Committee is investigating the 1.6 billion baht TH-AI Passport project due to concerns over transparency and potential conflicts of interest.

•A parliamentary committee is scrutinizing the TH-AI Passport project, valued at 1.6 billion baht.
•Concerns have been raised regarding the project's transparency, procurement process, and potential conflicts of interest.
•Relevant government agencies, including the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society and the Comptroller-General's Department, have been summoned to provide explanations.

Overview

•The House of Representatives' Anti-Corruption Committee summoned the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society and the Comptroller-General's Department to clarify the TH-AI Passport project.
•The TH-AI Passport project has a budget of 1.6 billion baht, raising concerns about its transparency.
•The committee is investigating allegations of a lack of transparency in the project's approval, bidding process, and potential conflicts of interest.
•Committee Chairman Phitakdet Detchdacho stated that the committee will issue invitations to relevant agencies to clarify facts with the committee.
•Phitakdet Detchdacho emphasized that their actions are in line with constitutional duties to prevent damage to the state and public.
•The committee will review the project's origin, central pricing, procurement details, and the drafting of Terms of Reference (TOR).
•The scrutiny follows discussions and questions raised in the House of Representatives regarding the TH-AI Passport's purpose of promoting public AI access.
•The committee plans to examine whether the bidding process involved 'locked specifications' for private companies.

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Key Quotes

Phitakdet Detchdacho

"I will send letters inviting relevant agencies such as the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, the Comptroller-General's Department, and the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) to clarify facts with the committee."

ตนจะทำหนังสือเชิญหน่วยงานที่เกี่ยว เช่น กระทรวงดิจิทัลเพื่อเศรษฐกิจและสังคม กรมบัญชีกลาง และสำนักงานป้องกันและปราบปรามการฟอกเงิน(ปปง.) เพื่อเข้าชี้แจงข้อเท็จจริงกับคณะกรรมาธิการฯ

Phitakdet Detchdacho

"This action is not intended to encroach on any agency's authority but is to perform duties according to the constitution and House of Representatives meeting regulations."

การดำเนินการดังกล่าวไม่ได้มีเจตนาก้าวล่วงอำนาจของหน่วยงานใด แต่เป็นการปฏิบัติหน้าที่ตามบทบัญญัติของรัฐธรรมนูญและข้อบังคับการประชุมสภาผู้แทนราษฎร

Key Entities

Organization

Anti-Corruption Committee(กมธ.ปปง.)

The parliamentary committee investigating corruption and money laundering, which summoned agencies to clarify the TH-AI Passport project.

Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE)(ดีอี)

The government ministry involved in the TH-AI Passport project that has been summoned by the Anti-Corruption Committee.

Comptroller-General's Department(กรมบัญชีกลาง)

The government department responsible for fiscal matters, which has been summoned by the Anti-Corruption Committee regarding the TH-AI Passport project.

Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO)(สำนักงานป้องกันและปราบปรามการฟอกเงิน(ปปง.))

The government agency focused on combating money laundering, which has been invited by the Anti-Corruption Committee to provide clarification on the TH-AI Passport project.

Person

Mr. Phitakdet Detchdacho(นายพิทักษ์เดช เดชเดโช)

Member of Parliament for Nakhon Si Thammarat and Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Committee, who is leading the investigation into the TH-AI Passport project.

MP for Nakhon Si Thammarat(สส.นครศรีธรรมราช)

The parliamentary constituency represented by Mr. Phitakdet Detchdacho, Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Committee.