DE Defends TH-AI Passport Procurement, Budgeting for Phase 2 in 2027

Matichon•Economy•1d ago

Reader Briefing

The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE) has defended its 1.6 billion Baht TH-AI Passport project against accusations of specification rigging, detailing a transparent procurement process and outlining plans for a second phase with a budget request for 2027.

•The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE) is defending the transparency of its TH-AI Passport project, valued at 1.6 billion Baht.
•DE confirmed the project is proceeding through all legal procurement steps, including public forums and bidder submissions.
•The ministry is planning a second phase for the TH-AI Passport project and will request a budget for this in 2027.

Overview

•On May 29, Pachara Anantasilpa, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE), chaired a press conference to clarify the TH-AI Passport project.
•The TH-AI Passport project's concept originated from the government's inception period in late September to early October 2025, focusing on 'Upskill-Reskill'.
•The project underwent review by the Ministry's Computer Committee on November 5, 2025, followed by the establishment of a central price and budget plan.
•Pachara Anantasilpa stated that the government had already initiated the fiscal year 2026 budget when the project was considered.
•The Digital Economy and Society Development Fund has approximately 1,000 million Baht remaining for the project's funding.
•The procurement plan was announced on November 17, 2025, with public hearings held from December 15 to December 22, 2025.
•The invitation to tender period ran from December 24, 2025, to January 26, 2026, with the contract signed on April 7, 2026, for 1,621 million Baht.
•The project was initiated to address Thailand's low AI usage despite high internet and smartphone penetration, aiming to provide public access to AI services and develop the National AI.
•The DE plans to expand the TH-AI Passport project to phase 2 and will prepare a budget request for the year 2027.
•The project's target audience includes students, the labor force, government officials, and the general public aged 15 and above, aiming for equitable AI access.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Read on Matichon (Thai Version)View in Google Translate

Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Quotes

Pachara Anantasilpa

"For the procurement process, the procurement plan was announced on November 17, 2025, before opening for public hearings between December 15 and December 22, 2025."

สำหรับกระบวนการจัดซื้อจัดจ้างมีการประกาศแผนจัดซื้อจัดจ้างตั้งแต่วันที่ 17 พฤศจิกายน 2025 ก่อนเปิดรับฟังความคิดเห็นหรือประชาพิจารณ์ระหว่างวันที่ 15 ธันวาคม ถึง 22 ธันวาคม 2025

Pachara Anantasilpa

"The ministry submitted the project for consideration by the project screening committee and the fund management committee, comprising relevant agencies such as the Ministry of Finance."

กระทรวงได้นำโครงการเข้าสู่การพิจารณาของคณะกรรมการกลั่นกรองโครงการ และคณะกรรมการบริหารกองทุน ซึ่งประกอบด้วยหน่วยงานที่เกี่ยวข้อง อาทิ กระทรวงการคลัง

Pachara Anantasilpa

"Regarding the accusation of 'locking specifications' through convenience store publicity conditions, I confirm that publicity is just one part of all project activities."

ส่วนกรณีข้อครหาว่ามีการ “ล็อกสเปก” ผ่านเงื่อนไขประชาสัมพันธ์ในร้านสะดวกซื้อนั้น ขอยืนยันว่า การประชาสัมพันธ์เป็นเพียงส่วนหนึ่งของกิจกรรมทั้งหมดในโครงการ

Pachara Anantasilpa

"The TH-AI Passport project is designed for continuous multi-phase operation, with the first phase primarily using funds from the Digital Economy and Society Development Fund."

โครงการ TH-AI Passport ถูกออกแบบให้เป็นการดำเนินงานแบบต่อเนื่องหลายระยะ (เฟส) โดยระยะแรกใช้งบประมาณกองทุนพัฒนาดิจิทัลเพื่อเศรษฐกิจและสังคมเป็นหลัก

Key Entities

Organization

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

The government ministry responsible for the TH-AI Passport project.

Digital Economy and Society Development Fund(กองทุนพัฒนาดิจิทัลเพื่อเศรษฐกิจและสังคม)

The fund providing financial resources for the TH-AI Passport project.

Ministry of Finance(กระทรวงการคลัง)ℹ️

A government ministry involved in the review and financial oversight of the TH-AI Passport project, including the Central Procurement Office (กรมบัญชีกลาง).

The Comptroller General's Department (part of Ministry of Finance)(กรมบัญชีกลาง)

A department within the Ministry of Finance, involved in the financial procedures and oversight of government projects like TH-AI Passport.

Person

Pachara Anantasilpa(นายพชร อนันตศิลป์)

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE), and the key spokesperson for the TH-AI Passport project.

Context

AI Disruptionℹ️

A societal phenomenon described as a critical factor driving the government's push for the TH-AI Passport project.

Policy

Thai LLM

A national artificial intelligence development goal that the TH-AI Passport project aims to support by creating a central data repository.