Bangkok:The government has dismissed claims that the Cabinet approved a budget of 497 million baht to enhance the weather forecasting system. It emphasizes that no such project has been sanctioned and warns that spreading false information could lead to imprisonment for up to 5 years and fines up to 100,000 baht.
According to Thai News Agency, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, Ms. Ploytalay Laksmisangchan, addressed the misinformation circulating on social media. The false report suggested that the Cabinet endorsed an international cooperation project to upgrade Thailand's weather forecasting capabilities with satellite technology and artificial intelligence, supposedly funded by a 497 million baht budget for fiscal year 2027. The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society has confirmed that this claim is inaccurate and misleading.
Ms. Ploytalee explained that there had been a prior international collaboration involving the use of satellite technology and AI, in partnership with organizations like NASA and NOAA, conducted at no cost over a three-month trial period from December 2025 to February 2026. The results of this trial demonstrated the potential benefits of these technologies in data analysis and connectivity. This initiative started under the previous administration.
She further clarified that there are currently no plans or budget approvals for implementing new technology, as the draft budget bill for fiscal year 2027 has not yet been enacted. Although the Minister of Digital Economy and Society, Mr. Chaiyanok Chidchob, has directed the Meteorological Department to seek technological upgrades for weather forecasting, no specific solutions have been finalized. The government cautions against spreading false or distorted information on social media, highlighting the legal repercussions under Section 14 of the Computer Crime Act.