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"Permanent Secretary DE" Denies Spec Lock on "TH-AI Passport," Stresses Project Transparency

"Permanent Secretary DE" Denies Spec Lock on "TH-AI Passport," Stresses Project Transparency

Thairath•Politics•1d ago

Reader Briefing

Thailand's Ministry of Digital Economy and Society defends the transparency of a 1.6 billion THB AI project, denying allegations of favoritism and highlighting a performance-based selection process.

  • •The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES) is defending the transparency of the 1.6 billion THB "TH-AI Passport" project.
  • •MDES Permanent Secretary Pocharon Anantasilp clarified the project's timeline and selection process, emphasizing adherence to regulations.
  • •The project aims to build a large Thai language database to advance the country's AI capabilities, with a focus on technical merit.
  • •The first phase, launching in June 2026, will offer 5 million users access to premium AI models for 12 months.
  • •Phase two, slated for July 2026, will allocate 900 million THB for another 5 million users, targeting a 20% AI adoption rate by 2027.

Overview

  • •The National Digital Economy and Society Committee (DEPA) approved the project on November 12, 2025.
  • •Public hearings for the "TH-AI Passport" project took place in December 2025.
  • •Tendering invitations were announced from December 24, 2025, to January 26, 2026.
  • •MDES Permanent Secretary Pocharon Anantasilp asserted the "TH-AI Passport" project's transparency, denying accusations of favoritism.
  • •The "TH-AI Passport" project has a budget of 1.6 billion THB.
  • •"TH-AI Passport" was awarded to the "TH-AI Consortium," comprising Human Intelligence Co., Ltd. and Turnkey Communication Service Public Company Limited.
  • •The winning bid was 1,621 million THB, 29 million THB below the estimated price.
  • •The official announcement of the winner for "TH-AI Passport" occurred on March 11, 2026, after the appeal period.
  • •DEPA Secretary-General Wetang Phuangsap emphasized that the selection gave 80% weight to technical scores and 20% to price.
  • •The "TH-AI Passport" project phase one is scheduled to officially launch in June 2026.
  • •Phase one will provide 5 million users with 12 months of free access to premium AI models.
  • •The negotiated price for premium AI models is 27.5 THB per month, down from 600 THB.
  • •Ministry of Digital Economy and Society plans to launch phase two in July 2026.
  • •Phase two will allocate 900 million THB from the 2027 budget to support another 5 million users.
  • •The government aims to achieve a 20% AI Adoption Rate among Thai citizens by 2027, resulting in reduced technological inequality.

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Key Quotes

Pocharon Anantasilp
"This project is a policy of Mr. Chaichanok Chidchob, Minister of Digital Economy and Society, and a key strategy for building a large Thai language database (LLM) to drive the country's AI system."
โครงการดังกล่าวเป็นนโยบายของนายไชยชนก ชิดชอบ รัฐมนตรีว่าการกระทรวงดิจิทัลฯ และเป็นยุทธศาสตร์สำคัญในการสร้างฐานข้อมูลภาษาไทยขนาดใหญ่ (LLM) เพื่อขับเคลื่อนระบบ AI ของประเทศ
Phongsakorn
"Regarding this, Mr. Wetang Phuangsap, Secretary-General of the DEPA, added that this project uses the 'Price and Performance' principle, weighting technical scores at 80% and price at only 20%."
ทางด้านนายเวทางค์ พ่วงทรัพย์ เลขาธิการ สดช. กล่าวเสริมถึงเกณฑ์การคัดเลือกผู้ชนะว่า โครงการนี้ใช้หลัก Price and Performance โดยให้น้ำหนักกับคะแนนทางเทคนิคสูงถึง 80% และคะแนนราคาเพียง 20%

Key Entities

Person

Permanent Secretary DE(ปลัดดีอี)
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, who responded to allegations regarding the "TH-AI Passport" project.
Pocharon Anantasilp(นายพชร อนันตศิลป์)
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES), who held a press conference to clarify the "TH-AI Passport" project's transparency.
Chaichanok Chidchob(นายไชยชนก ชิดชอบ)
The Minister of Digital Economy and Society (MDES), under whose policy the "TH-AI Passport" project was initiated.
Wetang Phuangsap(เวทางค์ พ่วงทรัพย์)
The Secretary-General of the National Digital Economy and Society Committee (DEPA), who explained the technical scoring criteria for the "TH-AI Passport" project.
Claudeℹ️
A premium AI model available through the "TH-AI Passport" project.
Geminiℹ️
A premium AI model available through the "TH-AI Passport" project.
ChatGPTℹ️
A premium AI model available through the "TH-AI Passport" project.

Organization

Ministry of Digital Economy and Society(กระทรวงดิจิทัลฯ)
The government ministry responsible for overseeing digital development and initiatives in Thailand, including the "TH-AI Passport" project.
National Digital Economy and Society Committee(คณะกรรมการดิจิทัลเพื่อเศรษฐกิจและสังคมแห่งชาติ)
The committee that approved the "TH-AI Passport" project, paving the way for its development.
Comptroller General's Department(กรมบัญชีกลาง)
The government department whose regulations were strictly followed in the "TH-AI Passport" project's procurement process.
TH-AI Consortium(กิจการร่วมค้าทีเอช)
The winning bidder for the "TH-AI Passport" project, a joint venture between Human Intelligence Co., Ltd. and Turnkey Communication Service Public Company Limited.
Human Intelligence Co., Ltd.(บริษัท ฮิวแมน อินเทลลิเจนท์ จำกัด)
One of the companies forming the "TH-AI Consortium," which won the bid for the "TH-AI Passport" project.
Turnkey Communication Service Public Company Limited(บริษัท เทิร์นคีย์ คอมมูนิเคชั่น เซอร์วิส จำกัด (มหาชน))
One of the companies forming the "TH-AI Consortium," which won the bid for the "TH-AI Passport" project.