Economy
Concerns Raised Over 17 Billion Baht Tablet Budget Efficiency
A government official has criticized the effectiveness of a 17 billion baht tablet procurement project, citing low usage rates among students and teachers.
According to a report by Matichon Online on September 9, 2026, government official Ratklao has publicly scrutinized a 17 billion baht budget allocated for a tablet procurement initiative. The critique centers on data indicating that the actual utilization rate of these devices among teachers and students has failed to reach 11 percent of the total inventory.
Ratklao has formally urged the parliament to conduct a thorough review of the project's budget and implementation strategy. The official argues that the significant discrepancy between the high investment and the low adoption rate suggests a need for re-evaluating how these educational resources are managed and distributed.
For residents and expatriates, this development highlights ongoing debates regarding public spending and the digitalization of Thailand’s education sector. While the project was intended to modernize classrooms, the low usage figures raise questions about the long-term sustainability and practical impact of such large-scale technology investments.
At this stage, it remains to be confirmed how the parliament will respond to the call for a review and whether any adjustments to the budget or the distribution program will be enacted. No official decision to halt or modify the project has been announced by the legislative body at this time.
