Economy
Concerns Raised Over Department of Provincial Administration's 100 Million Baht Software Purchase
During the third day of budget deliberations, the People's Party questioned a 100 million baht software procurement by the Department of Provincial Administration.
On September 9, 2026, during the third day of national budget discussions, members of the People's Party (PP) raised significant concerns regarding a 100 million baht expenditure by the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA). The budget allocation is intended for the purchase of software designed to inspect mobile phone data.
According to reports from Thai Post, the opposition party questioned the transparency of the procurement process. Specifically, they alleged that the price survey for the software was conducted using a company that reported zero revenue. Furthermore, the PP argued that this purchase appears redundant, as the Royal Thai Police already possess established systems for mobile phone data inspection.
For residents and expatriates, this development highlights ongoing parliamentary scrutiny regarding government spending and digital surveillance tools. While the procurement is currently under legislative review, the primary points of contention—the financial viability of the selected vendor and the necessity of the software given existing police capabilities—remain to be confirmed or addressed by the relevant authorities. As budget deliberations continue, the public awaits further clarification on whether this procurement will proceed as planned or if the government will provide additional justification for the expenditure.