June 3, 2026
Bangkok – Thailand’s 1.6 billion baht TH-AI passport project faces a critical test of whether it can move the country not just to expand access to AI, but to build true AI literacy among its people.
The project, led by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, aims to give 5 million people free access to professional-level AI tools for one year under the concept of “Learn to Earn”.
The government presented the scheme as a way to improve digital skills and open up new income opportunities in the AI era.
But Associate Professor Art Pisanwanich, an independent academic and expert on international economics and Asean issues, argues that the key question is not whether this project amounts to “free AI” distribution, but whether Thailand can turn broader access into a true national competitiveness.
In reality, the TH-AI Passport uses state funding to subsidize access to professional-grade AI tools so users don’t have to pay directly.
This has led to criticism that the project could be seen as an “AI handout” or a form of “AI populism”, despite the government’s claims that it is an investment in human capital and workforce development for the digital economy.
The debate comes as Thailand continues to lag behind some of its ASEAN countries in responding to AI.
The assessment cited by Aat measures economic value creation through AI, business adoption, policy, infrastructure and human capital readiness, and Thailand scored 6.53 points, ranking fifth among ASEAN countries.
Singapore leads the region with 9.47 points, followed by Malaysia and Vietnam with 7.37 points each and Indonesia with 6.87 points.
Mr Ato said the real difference between Thailand and Singapore is not the number of AI users, but the depth of people’s ability to use technology productively and critically.
He divided AI development into three levels. Use of AI or ability to use AI tools. AI skills, or the ability to apply AI to improve work efficiency. AI literacy, or the ability to understand, evaluate, and verify AI-generated information and output.
According to this criterion, Thailand is still grouped together with Indonesia and the Philippines in its level of AI usage.
Malaysia and Vietnam are considered to have reached the AI skill level, while Singapore is the only ASEAN country rated to have reached the AI literacy level.
Aat said this distinction is important because AI literacy is more than just knowing how to operate tools.
It also includes the ability to analyze the output of AI, check its accuracy, understand its limitations, and use it responsibly to create economic value.
He warned that compared to countries such as Singapore and Vietnam, Thailand’s education system is yet to produce truly AI-literate learners.
He said TH-AI Passport appears to be more focused on increasing the number of AI users than on increasing understanding of the technology.
The difference with Singapore’s SkillsFuture program is clear.
Singapore is focused on upskilling and reskilling its workforce so that they can use AI to improve productivity, adapt to the new economy, and enhance employability.
This approach treats AI as a tool that enhances human potential, rather than replacing it.
SkillsFuture participants must take a structured course, take an AI readiness assessment, and directly link their training to employment.
In contrast, the TH-AI passport focuses on broad access, reducing the digital divide and promoting the use of AI in daily life, education, and work.
Simply put, Singapore is training its talent to use AI to secure better jobs, while Thailand is looking to help more people access and start using AI, Aat said. The two goals are very different.
He proposed five ways to improve the TH-AI passport system.
- Upgrade your focus from using AI to AI literacy.
- Link free AI access to your learning or skill assessment.
- Establish clear key performance indicators before and after participation.
- Instead of offering a service completely free, create a clear target group and impose conditions.
- Work more closely with the education sector and private companies.
His most important proposal is to ask the government to consider whether the 1.6 billion baht budget would bring greater value if it were used to develop a national AI tool to help Thai entrepreneurs increase domestic and international sales and identify new market opportunities.
Aat said the future AI race will be measured not by how many people can simply click and use AI tools, but by how many people can apply AI with judgment to create economic value and improve national competitiveness.
He warned that it remains a major challenge for Thailand to keep pace further with regional leaders such as Singapore.
