Politics
Concerns Raised Over TH-AI Passport Procurement Process
Democrat Party MP Kande Leophairote has questioned the integrity of the TH-AI Passport project, alleging that the Office of the National Digital Economy and Society Commission (ONDE) failed to follow its own procurement rules.
On September 22, 2026, Democrat Party list MP Kande Leophairote held a press conference to address irregularities in the procurement of the TH-AI Passport system. Kande, who previously submitted a request to the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) to investigate seven specific issues, stated that the Comptroller General's Department confirmed the project did not participate in the 'Integrity Pact' as required by its own terms of reference (TOR).
According to Kande, the ONDE drafted, approved, and supervised the TOR, which explicitly states in section 3.16 that bidders must sign an Integrity Pact for projects exceeding 1 billion baht. Kande questioned why the ONDE failed to adhere to the very regulations it established, suggesting that this oversight could potentially invalidate the procurement process.
For residents and travelers, this development highlights potential administrative delays or legal challenges regarding the future issuance and management of electronic passports in Thailand. While the MP has raised these concerns publicly, the OAG has yet to conclude its investigation. It remains to be confirmed whether the project will be suspended or if the ONDE will provide a formal justification for the omission of the Integrity Pact. Stakeholders are advised to monitor official government announcements for updates on the status of the passport system.