Bangkok:The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society has clarified that the Cabinet has not approved the 497 million baht purchase of Tomorrow.io's weather forecasting service.
According to Thai News Agency, the Ministry emphasized that no procurement process has been initiated, nor has any decision been made regarding the selection of technology or model for enhancing the weather forecasting system.
Mr. Pachara Anantasilsin, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, addressed reports claiming the Cabinet's approval of an international cooperation project aimed at upgrading Thailand's weather forecasting system with satellite technology and artificial intelligence, slated for the fiscal year 2027. He stated that such reports are inaccurate and potentially misleading. He also noted that the Meteorological Department is actively studying various technologies to improve forecasting efficiency, including pilot projects and Proof of Concept initiatives to evaluate technologies before potential implementation.
A recent project involved a three-month trial using satellite and AI technology, conducted from December 2025 to February 2026, at no cost. The trial has concluded, and the results have been published. This effort began under the previous government.
The Meteorological Department continues to explore other technologies to enhance forecast accuracy and cost-effectiveness. Mr. Pachara mentioned that Mr. Chaiyanok Chidchob, Minister of Digital Economy and Society, has tasked the department with upgrading its forecasting capabilities, but no firm decision on technology or procurement has been made. Additionally, the 2027 fiscal year budget bill is still pending. The Ministry urges the public to verify facts before spreading information and cautions that spreading false or misleading information via social media could violate Section 14 of the Computer Crime Act, leading to penalties including imprisonment and fines.