Natthapong Probes TH-AI Passport Over Rigged Bids
Opposition leader Natthapong Ruengpanyawut announces the People's Party will investigate the TH-AI Passport project, citing rigged specifications and bidding collusion.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Natthapong pushes forward with investigations into the TH-AI Passport project.
- The People's Party prepares official petitions led by MP Wayo and MP Rakchanok.
- Associated contractor networks are allegedly linked to other state projects.
- Public warned regarding data privacy after TOR confirms tracking of users and prompts.
At 3:45 PM on August 21, 2026, in Mae Ai District, Chiang Mai Province, Natthapong Ruengpanyawut, list-MP and leader of the People's Party in his capacity as Leader of the Opposition, gave an interview regarding statements made by Patchara Anantasilp, Permanent Secretary for Digital Economy and Society, who confirmed the continuation of the TH-AI Passport project without fearing Section 157 lawsuits. Natthapong stated that the opposition is currently preparing formal petitions to submit to relevant investigative agencies.
The legal process is being spearheaded by list-MP and Deputy Party Leader Dr. Wayo Asavaroengruang, alongside key team member list-MP Rakchanok Srinork. While the government holds full authority to proceed with the initiative, the opposition remains committed to exercising full oversight and bringing the matter through proper investigative channels.
"From the content and information we have seen, it clearly indicates rigged specifications."
Natthapong Ruengpanyawut
Natthapong further noted that reviewing the legal texts and existing data points strongly toward specification tampering. Additionally, the People's Party has obtained fresh intelligence suggesting that the corporate network contracted for the TH-AI Passport project has also secured other state contracts across various ministries, exhibiting identical pricing and bidding patterns indicative of bid rigging and specification manipulation.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Opposition scrutiny of government digital infrastructure highlights critical checks and balances, particularly regarding artificial intelligence deployment and personal data handling. The Terms of Reference (TOR) clause disclosing user tracking and prompt monitoring underscores cybersecurity vulnerabilities that have drawn significant global civil society attention in the digital era.
Regarding public security concerns over potential data leaks abroad, while the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society has firmly denied any risk, Natthapong advised citizens to carefully weigh their trust. He pointed out that project documentation explicitly allows both the state and service providers to monitor user identities and specific prompts, urging citizens registering for the service to remain mindful of personal data confidentiality.
Addressing the current registration figure of approximately 1 million against the 5 million target, Natthapong stated that figures depend entirely on public participation. However, the core issue lies in the government's stated intent to upskill Thai citizens in AI adoption, a goal the party supports. He emphasized that government-backed AI should focus on high-value utilities such as disaster management or public procurement fraud detection—areas where civil society groups have already successfully developed functional oversight tools independently.
Source: Khaosod Politics
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