Anti-Money Laundering Committee Questions DE and Comptroller General on TH-AI Passport

Khaosod•Politics•3d ago

Reader Briefing

Thai parliamentary committee demands urgent clarification from Digital Economy Ministry and Comptroller General's Office regarding the TH-AI Passport project's pricing and procurement processes.

•The Anti-Money Laundering Committee questioned the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE) and the Comptroller General's Office regarding the TH-AI Passport project.
•Concerns were raised about the process of setting the central price and the involvement of companies in both price setting and bidding.
•The DE and Comptroller General's Office were instructed to provide a written explanation within five days addressing the committee's doubts.
•At least 8 companies submitted bids, with 3 companies involved in setting the central price also winning the bid, highlighting potential conflicts of interest.

Overview

•At 1:35 PM on June 4, 2026, during a parliamentary session, the committee convened.
•Committee Chairman Phitakdet Devahastin stated that the explanations provided were unclear regarding both the central price and the inspection committee.
•Representatives from the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE) and the Comptroller General's Office were summoned for questioning.
•The TH-AI Passport project, aimed at upgrading digital and AI skills for Thais, is under scrutiny.
•Three out of eight companies that proposed the central price were also among the winners of the bidding process.
•The committee expressed suspicion over the connection between those who set the central price and those who submitted bids for the project.
•The DE and Comptroller General's Office must submit a written response within five days to address the committee's concerns.
•The committee seeks to ensure transparency, value for money, and maximum benefit for the public concerning the TH-AI Passport project.

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Key Quotes

Phitakdet Devahastin

"Unclear explanations for the central price and the inspection committee. Ordered to submit a written explanation within 5 days."

ชี้แจงไม่เคลียร์ ทั้งราคากลาง-กก.ตรวจรับ จี้ทำหนังสือแจงใน 5 วัน

Phitakdet Devahastin

"It is suspicious that the Comptroller General's Department, the primary department for procurement, cannot thoroughly investigate the central price and document origins."

น่าสงสัยว่ากรมบัญชีกลางซึ่งเป็นกรมหลักในการจัดซื้อจัดจ้างนั้น ไม่สามารถตรวจสอบราคากลางและที่มาของรายละเอียดเอกสารได้ละเอียดหรือเปล่า

Key Entities

Organization

Anti-Money Laundering Committee(กมธ.ฟอกเงิน)

A parliamentary committee investigating financial crimes, specifically examining the TH-AI Passport project.

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

A government ministry involved in promoting digital economy and AI skills, questioned regarding the TH-AI Passport project.

Comptroller General's Department(บัญชีกลาง)

A government department responsible for procurement and public finance, questioned about its role in the TH-AI Passport project's pricing.

Member of Parliament for Nakhon Si Thammarat(สส.นครศรีธรรมราช)

The parliamentary constituency represented by Phitakdet Devahastin.

Democrat Party(พรรคประชาธิปัตย์)ℹ️

A political party in Thailand, to which Member of Parliament Phitakdet Devahastin belongs.

Person

Phitakdet Devahastin(นายพิทักษ์เดช เดชเดโช)

Member of Parliament for Nakhon Si Thammarat and Chairman of the Anti-Money Laundering Committee, who led the questioning of the DE and Comptroller General's Office.