Bangkok: "Rakchanok and Theerachart" have formally petitioned the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to investigate alleged corruption in the TH-AI Passport project, highlighting concerns over rigged specifications and bid rigging, with hopes that those responsible will face imprisonment.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Rakchanok Srinok, a party-list MP from the People's Party, alongside Mr. Theerachart Kaotrakul, advisor to the Budget Monitoring Committee, submitted a comprehensive case file and evidence to the NACC. The petition calls for an investigation into the transparency of the TH-AI Passport project. Ms. Rakchanok identified the accused individuals, including Mr. Chaiyanok Chidchob, Minister of Digital Economy and Society, along with several high-ranking officials and related individuals from Human Intelligent Company.
The allegations include Mr. Chaiyanok's failure to halt the project amid evident irregularities. Civil servants involved were tasked with implementing the policy and drafting the Terms of Reference (TOR). A notable irregularity in the TOR was the requirement for advertising across numerous billboards and screens, which only a few contractors could satisfy, raising suspicions of bid rigging.
Further investigation revealed links between Human Intelligent Company and companies managing nationwide advertising screens, with the ultimate beneficiaries belonging to the same group, registered at the same location. Despite concerns raised by the People's Party, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society remained inactive.
Additionally, the project's payment method was controversially altered from a lump-sum to a pay-per-use system, which, if undisclosed, could have resulted in significant financial discrepancies. Despite the project's continuation, the aim remains to ensure accountability and punishment for the responsible parties once investigations conclude.
The People's Party questioned the NACC's pace in probing the project, suspecting potential conflicts of interest, given the commission's swift actions in past projects. This petition seeks to amplify public scrutiny on projects suspected of corruption.
Ms. Rakchanok also criticized the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society's cooperation, noting that out of numerous requested documents, only a few were received, leaving critical documents incomplete. She is invoking her legal authority to demand these documents by September 8th, ahead of a subsequent meeting on September 10th.
Mr. Teerachart highlighted additional discrepancies, noting the TOR's requirement for multiple AI providers, yet documents only showed a license from Google Thailand. This raised questions about the TOR's design, as further document examination revealed more irregularities. With approximately 100,000 active users, the actual usage cost is far lower than the original budget, prompting inquiries into the procurement process's integrity and those accountable for the disparities.