Bangkok: Rakchanok Srinok, a Member of Parliament from the People's Party and Chair of the House Committee on Budget Preparation and Monitoring, has expressed gratitude towards the Budget Bureau for their decision to eliminate 900 million baht from the TH-AI Passport project under the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE).
According to Thai News Agency, Rakchanok's comments came during discussions about the project's omission from the draft 2027 Budget Act, which she perceives as a positive development.
Rakchanok highlighted her concerns about the potential continuation of the project's second phase, despite its removal from the current budget proposals. She emphasized the need for vigilance, suggesting that funds from the Digital Economy Fund might be accumulated and redirected towards similar projects in the future. The project, initially set at 1.6 billion baht, remains under scrutiny, with Rakchanok pledging her commitment to ensuring its cancellation.
In her critique, Rakchanok addressed Mr. Chaiyanok Chidchob, the Minister of Digital Economy and Society, urging him to take a more transparent and courageous stance in response to media inquiries and political scrutiny. She criticized the minister for failing to address the project's irregularities and for allowing civil servants to bear the brunt of the fallout. Rakchanok called for political accountability, questioning the lack of engagement and responsibility shown by political leaders regarding the TH-AI Passport project.
Rakchanok also responded to claims that the opposition's criticism stemmed from their networks not securing contracts for the project. She dismissed these allegations, invoking a Buddhist saying about a "thieving mind" to describe the mindset of those making such claims. She emphasized that her actions were motivated by public interest and urged political leaders to engage in honest and factual discussions rather than resorting to baseless accusations.
Further addressing the issue, Rakchanok remarked on the silence surrounding Mr. Pawut Pongwitayaphanu, another Member of Parliament from the People's Party, who had previously raised concerns about the project. She suggested that the lack of media coverage on the TH-AI Passport project following its revelation indicates the public's ability to discern the situation independently. Rakchanok reiterated her determination to pursue the matter, highlighting its implications for the education sector and the distribution of substantial budget allocations.
Rakchanok concluded by calling on relevant ministries, particularly those aligned with the Pheu Thai Party, to thoroughly review their Terms of Reference for related projects to prevent similar issues from arising. She stressed the importance of proper preparation and oversight to ensure the integrity and effectiveness of government initiatives.