Thai MP Rakchanok Questions 1.6 Billion Baht TH-Ai Passport Project
Tensions rise in the House committee meeting as officials fail to show up and account for the 1.6 billion baht state budget.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- MP Rakchanok targets the 1.6 billion baht TH-Ai Passport project and demands accountability.
- Key figures including Chaichanok, Digital Economy Permanent Secretary Phachara, and Inspector-General Theerawut skipped committee meetings.
- Promised documents were either withheld or heavily redacted with black marker.
- Critics question the transparency and management of massive state digital funds.
A House budget committee meeting turned heated as prominent MP Rakchanok raised serious questions regarding the questionable execution of the TH-Ai Passport project, which carries a staggering budget of 1.6 billion baht. She criticized the conspicuous absence of key project leaders who repeatedly avoided appearing before the committee to provide transparent explanations.
During the latest deliberation, accountability seemed to evaporate as the responsible individuals engaged in a domino effect of absenteeism. MP Chaichanok, who originally championed the initiative, failed to appear as summoned. Whenever pressed for answers, he reportedly distanced himself from the administrative process while continuously failing to deliver promised documents to committee members—or submitting incomplete files smeared with black redactions.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
The TH-Ai Passport initiative represents a massive digital infrastructure investment utilizing public funds amounting to 1.6 billion baht. Parliamentary oversight committees play a crucial role in ensuring financial transparency and preventing the misuse of state resources. When designated project leaders dodge hearings and pass down responsibilities indefinitely, it undermines democratic accountability and public trust in government procurement.
This pattern of avoidance highlights broader systemic issues within state administration, where parliamentary scrutiny is often met with bureaucratic evasion. Observers and lawmakers emphasize that transparency is non-negotiable when dealing with multibillion-baht technology projects funded by taxpayers.
The situation escalated into a game of bureaucratic hot potato during the committee summons. After Chaichanok failed to attend, he delegated the responsibility to Digital Economy and Society Permanent Secretary Phachara Anantศิลป์, who in turn skipped the session and delegated it to Inspector-General Theerawut Thongpak. Ultimately, even the Inspector-General failed to show up, sending lower-level TOR committee members instead who were completely unable to answer any substantive questions from lawmakers.
Critics also pointed out a noticeable shift in attitude from Theerawut Thongpak, the former head of the TOR drafting committee who was recently promoted to Ministry Inspector-General. While his initial committee appearance yielded helpful cooperation before his promotion, subsequent sessions saw a dramatic change in his communication style, characterized by evasive answers and feigned ignorance.
The criticism extended further toward DES Permanent Secretary Phachara, with sarcastic remarks highlighting unwavering loyalty in defending questionable project logic. Furthermore, sharp jabs were directed at Chaichanok's parliamentary appearances, questioning whether future official summons should be addressed to his guardians given his apparent reliance on aides during legislative sessions.
Source: Matichon Politics
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