BANGKOK, Thailand – Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaichanok Chidchob on September 29 rejected reports that the government is preparing to seek Cabinet approval for a 497-million-baht project with US weather technology company Tomorrow.io to develop a weather forecasting system described in reports as using technology comparable to NASA. Speaking at Government House at 10.05am, Chaichanok said the project remains at the proof-of-concept (POC) and feasibility study stage and has not reached the budgeting or implementation stage.
The study examines the potential use of low-altitude satellites and artificial intelligence to analyze and connect weather data. Chaichanok said the work began under the previous administration and has demonstrated improved capabilities, but the government is still studying alternative approaches to compare performance and determine the most cost-effective option. He said the government does have a policy to develop Thailand’s weather forecasting capabilities through new technology, but no final decision has been made on which system or technology will be adopted.
Chaichanok stressed that cooperation with Tomorrow.io has not been submitted to the Cabinet for consideration and that there is currently no 497-million-baht budget request for the project. He described earlier reports claiming that the government was preparing to seek Cabinet approval for the project as false news and urged the public to exercise caution when assessing information circulating online.
The minister said the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society remains committed to using technology to improve the capabilities of the Thai Meteorological Department, while further studies are carried out before any investment decision is made.
