Lawmaker Questions Cost of TH-AI Passport After Testing Free AI Alternatives

Deputy Democratic Party leader Kaladee Liaopairojaern announced on July 16, 2025, at Parliament that she has tested the TH-AI Passport in its initial version and found several important details still pending release from relevant agencies. These include revised employment contracts, the full list of project inspection committee members, and clarification on key performance indicators (KPIs) and data processing methods. Kaladee emphasized that these three issues are central to ensuring taxpayer value, maximum benefit, and transparent, verifiable operations.

After preliminary testing, Kaladee reported that the system's user interface is attractive and its AI learning functions appear comprehensive. However, after consulting with technology experts, she discovered that many functions resemble free AI services already available internationally, raising questions about why Thailand requires such a large budget for the project. She called for wider public testing to better assess the initiative's cost-effectiveness.

Kaladee also noted that the contract model has been adjusted from "Pay per Use" to "Pay per Active User," a significant change that should improve transparency and budget accountability. She expressed concern that the system's integrated learning and operational design may discourage public adoption, potentially undermining the justification for the substantial investment. Kaladee further recommended that project success metrics be clearly linked to Thailand's national AI strategy, noting that concrete goals remain unclear despite the project's budget in the hundreds of millions to over a billion baht.