Bangkok: "Supachai" is preparing to file a complaint against "Prasert" and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society for allegedly allowing scammers to steal iris data from over 1.2 million Thais. Mr. Supachai Jaisamut, a candidate for Member of Parliament on the party list and a leading figure in the Bhumjaithai Party, issued a statement regarding alleged irregularities in the performance of duties by Mr. Prasert Chantharawong, Minister of Digital Economy and Society (DE), and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, concerning the illegal collection of biometric data from citizens by private companies.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Supachai stated that in March 2024, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE) and a Singaporean company affiliated with Ben Smith, who is alleged to be a "global scammer." The process was unusually swift, with requests for opinions being sent to the Council of State, the Attorney General, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 25, 2024, and the MOU being signed the very next day, with Mr. Prasert as a witness.
Mr. Supachai further stated that later, during January-February 2025, TIDC Metaverse, a subsidiary of Ben Smith, attempted to obtain permission from agencies under the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (ETDA and PDPC) to proceed with the World ID project, which involved collecting iris scans in exchange for digital assets. At that time, the agencies did not grant permission due to concerns about data security.
However, on June 11, 2025, the Office of the Personal Data Protection Commission discovered that iris scanning technology was being used to exchange for digital assets, and that over 1,200,000 people had already entered their information into the computer system. The Permanent Secretary reported this matter to the Minister through the proper channels, but Mr. Prasert ignored it, failing to order a halt or closely monitor the situation.
Mr. Supachai further stated that this neglect of duty puts sensitive data of Thai people at risk and could be misused, such as creating fake accounts or engaging in cybercrime, which falls under Section 157 of the Criminal Code and the Anti-Corruption Act.
"This case sets a precedent similar to the rice pledging scheme case, which the court previously convicted former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra for negligence causing damage to the nation and its people. Therefore, I call for an investigation and will file a complaint with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to take action against Mr. Prasert and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society," Mr. Supachai concluded.