The first phase is scheduled to launch within two weeks, said Nan Boonthida Somchai, deputy DES minister, adding that Phase 2 remains a concept rather than a defunct plan, reports the Bangkok Post.
If the initial phase yields high user satisfaction and clear educational value, the government will reconsider expanding the project, Ms Nan said.
While social media speculation suggested the B900-million Phase 2 was cancelled due to public criticism, she said the decision to withdraw the proposal from the parliamentary budget debate was made internally by the ministry following consultations with the Budget Bureau.
The government wants to monitor user feedback and assess the cost-effectiveness of the first phase before committing to an expansion, Ms Nan noted.
In the first phase, the government plans to give 5 million Thais one year of free access to premium artificial intelligence tools through a B1.6-billion programme.
However, the project attracted criticism on several fronts, including its budget allocation, cost efficiency and procurement process.
Earlier, DES Minister Chaichanok Chidchob defended the first phase, insisting the project is a transparent and cost-effective investment.
Ms Nan said the ministry’s primary objective is to use Phase 1 as a litmus test for the project’s viability.
PAY PER ACTIVE USER
Ms Nan said the project will debut with a “learn to earn” platform designed to ensure high user engagement.
Users must complete designated courses on the platform to earn credits for continued access.
To manage system load and ensure efficiency, the platform will utilise a “replacement” system.
Instead of expanding the user base indefinitely, inactive participants will be rotated out to make room for new applicants, Ms Nan said.
She said preliminary surveys conducted in April indicated significant interest, with nearly 2.7 million potential users identified within the student and civil service sectors alone.
As the countdown to the late-July launch continues, the government is focusing on finalising contract details, including an addendum covering the terms of the pay-per-active-user model.
The winning bidder was TH Consortium, which consists of Turnkey Communication Services Plc, a Thai ICT engineering solutions specialist, and Human Intelligence Co Ltd, a joint venture between Thai and Hong Kong investors building digital education infrastructure in Thailand.