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

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

Khaosod•Politics•23d 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.