Thailand’s mobile operators have moved to support a struggling national AI program.
The country’s three carriers, AIS, True, and NT, will offer low-cost data bundles. The plans will help users access the government’s TH-AI Passport scheme without fearing larger mobile bills.
The government launched the 1.6 billion Thai baht project last month. That equals about $48 million. Early demand looked strong, with 1.5 million sign-ups in three weeks.
However, adoption soon slowed. Many users worried that AI tools would consume too much mobile data. That concern matters in a market with many prepaid users.
AIS responded first with a monthly AI data package. It costs 29 Thai baht, or about $0.87. Users receive unlimited data inside the AiPASS app for that price.
AIS says it can support 5 million users for one year. That figure matches the maximum capacity of the AI-Passport scheme. True has proposed a similar package. NT plans to start selling its service from October 1.
Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaichanok Chidchob said the government contacted operators after finding the problem. Many students wanted the AI app, he noted. Yet they feared higher bills.
When they use AI, “data usage rises quickly and consumes quite a lot of bandwidth,” he said.
The move shows how operators can influence national digital programs. Cheap access can help students, workers, and small businesses test AI services. It also turns mobile networks into a key part of public technology policy.
Still, the model brings pressure. Operators must handle higher traffic while charging very little. They also need to maintain service quality for other customers.
AIS and True dominate Thailand’s mobile market. Together, they serve about 96 million subscribers. NT remains much smaller, with around 1.5 million customers. Most NT users live outside Bangkok, and many rely on prepaid plans.
The AI-Passport service offers access to about 30 AI models. These tools come from 14 companies, mainly from the US and China. For users, this creates a single entry point into multiple AI systems.
Thailand is not alone in this strategy. South Korea has launched a larger AI access program. Its government has selected SK Telecom, KT, and Kakao to lead separate groups.
KT plans an AI agent linked to public services, finance, and shopping. SK Telecom will focus on phone and text-based agents. These tools may support authentication, forms, and payments.
South Korea has allocated 250 billion won, or $181 million, to its program. That scale highlights rising competition in public AI access across Asia. For telecoms, the message is clear. Connectivity now shapes who can use AI, and how quickly.
