National anti-corruption commission office: "Rakchanok" has filed a complaint with the NACC against "Chaiyanok" for allegedly manipulating the TH-AI Passport specifications and engaging in collusion during the national screen bidding process. She claims there are numerous unresolved issues and accuses the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society of misleading the media. Rakchanok expressed skepticism about the NACC's response to her petition, suggesting it was a formal gesture to highlight public concerns about potential case dismissals.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Rakchanok Srinok, a Member of Parliament from the People's Party, submitted evidence to the NACC, urging an investigation into the TH-AI Passport project managed by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society. She had vowed to file a complaint with the NACC upon the project's launch and has now fulfilled that promise by submitting her complaint and evidence.
The complaints target several key figures, including Mr. Chaiyanok Chidchob, the Minister of Digital Economy and Society, and other officials implicated in the suspicious handling of the TH-AI Passport project. A primary concern is the alleged manipulation of the Terms of Reference (TOR) specifications that favored a specific company linked to a private entity, Plan B, for nationwide advertising screens.
Further allegations point to shared management and addresses between the involved private companies and Plan B, raising suspicions of collusion. The original project budget, set at 1.6 billion baht, was based on a lump-sum contract, but pressure from the People's Party led to a Pay-Per-Use contract change, potentially saving the government significant funds. Rakchanok argues that without public scrutiny, the private company would have benefited from a substantial financial discrepancy.
Rakchanok has voiced her hope for accountability and punishment for those responsible, criticizing the NACC's slow response and suggesting potential conflicts of interest within the commission. She has submitted detailed committee investigation findings to multiple oversight agencies, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability.
Rakchanok also criticized the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society's lack of cooperation, citing misleading public statements by the Permanent Secretary. She detailed ongoing challenges in obtaining requested documents, hindering thorough investigation.
The MP also questioned the TH-AI Passport application's effectiveness, challenging claims of its superiority over free versions and highlighting public dissatisfaction. She expressed doubt over the NACC's ability to conduct an impartial investigation, citing past failures to intervene in similar cases effectively.
In discussing a potential Phase 2 of the project, Rakchanok warned against further developments unless they are genuinely beneficial to the public. She called for accountability and transparency, urging Mr. Chaiyanok to demonstrate political courage by addressing the issues directly.
Rakchanok's actions underscore a demand for integrity and transparency in government projects, with a call to attention for the public and relevant authorities to scrutinize potential corruption within the TH-AI Passport initiative.