Sattaram denied exposing social security scandals linked to Thanathorn's rejection from the off-market investment subcommittee and urged Trinuch not to trust those claiming that payments to insured persons are delayed because the Progressive Social Security team is blocking budget approval.
On 27 January 2026, at the Social Security Office (SSO). Mr. Sattaram Thammasubdee, a social security board member representing employees, gave an interview before the social security board meeting. He said that although today's major issue was not on the agenda, it concerned the approval of the minutes from the 13 January 2026 meeting. The key point was the draft regulation of the Social Security Office for electing a new board, leading to a public consultation process. The six members of the Progressive Social Security team disagreed and did not acknowledge the draft, but the Social Security Office insisted on proceeding with public consultation.
Therefore, the existing election regulations should be used for this election until the new board takes office to then create new regulations. They view the new draft as a tactic to extend the current board's caretaker term until November 2026, during which the caretaker board's authority to audit and access information would be reduced.
When asked about the previous nomination of Mr. Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit to become a member of the off-market investment subcommittee, which was not approved, prompting the Progressive Social Security team to reveal information, Mr. Sattaram explained that the disclosure had occurred earlier. The issue arose within the off-market investment advisory subcommittee, where their members, Mr. Chaiwat Wannakot and Mrs. Ratsamee Suwanpakdee, who are board members, were involved.
They faced efforts to approve various assets under heavy suspicion, including projects that would become the second, third, fourth, and fifth SKYY9 buildings. Despite opposition and objections from these two and representatives of the insured, they were dismissed as inexperienced or uninterested. Consequently, both resigned from the subcommittee. Following this, they proposed Mr. Thanathorn—who was no longer an executive at Thai Summit nor held any political position at that time—but he was rejected. Interestingly, although Mr. Chalit Ratthapana was appointed late 2024, the subcommittee has not held a single meeting since then.
"These issues are unrelated and were exposed previously. Thanathorn's involvement only caused fear of further disclosures. Currently, Thanathorn holds no position in any social security subcommittee."
When asked how to address delays in compensation payments to insured persons, Mr. Sattaram said that on 26 January, the IT subcommittee met. The problem lies with the vendor, whose identity and contract details the Social Security Office has not disclosed. This has caused a major issue in an 850 million baht hardware project, which is new but unable to perform basic functions like benefit payments. The project delivery is two years overdue, with fines exceeding 450 million baht. It is necessary to pursue the responsible vendor to compensate insured persons. The Progressive Social Security team holds two positions.
First, they advocate for interest payments on delayed compensation to insured persons. The office has said it will review legal aspects. He emphasized that insured persons under Section 39 who pay late are charged interest, so if social security pays late, there should be a process to pay interest as well.
Second, they suggest bringing IT experts to consult with service centers to identify problems and provide advice. However, it remains unclear whether the office will allow experts to review and fix the system initially. This is a critical matter affecting the lives of insured persons.
"Unemployment compensation, currently up to 9,000 baht per month, is a matter of insured persons' livelihoods. I urge Labor Minister Trinuch Thianthong—who I understand has senior civil servants in the Ministry and Social Security briefing that if insured persons ask, to say the delays are due to the Progressive Social Security team blocking budget approval—to clarify that the delays are due to the 850 million baht late project delivery. Please do not divert the issue."
Asked whether changes to the social security board election regulations are a tactic to delay the board's authority, Mr. Sattaram said that over the past two weeks, it has become clear that the draft election regulations were written with the clear intention of undermining the Progressive Social Security team's successes over the past two years. This team, popular nationwide and firm in its political ideology, is being targeted with strategies to prevent their return. This effort originated from a Senate committee, and although some senators claim coincidence, a fair perspective suggests it is far less likely to be coincidence than winning the lottery.
Mr. Sattaram confirmed that the Progressive Social Security team has long exposed social security issues, including building projects, calendars, a 6 million baht budget for Labor Day events, installing a new fire system despite the old one working, and a new IT system costing 850 million baht that is unusable. Regarding political interests, he stated that everyone has the right to political expression, but social security reform is not colored by political ideology. Any political party interested in the social security act drafted by the Progressive Social Security team can adopt it.
On political groups pushing this forward, Mr. Sattaram said he does not deny knowing Mr. Thanathorn and being a founding member of the Future Forward Party. He cannot deny these facts. Meanwhile, MPs from political parties, including Ms. Rakchanok Srinok and Mr. Sahawat Khumkhong, have stood firm on this issue, pledging to promote social security reforms to public attention, countering decades of inertia within the Ministry of Labor. This persists even as MP Ice faces a 50 million baht lawsuit from former social security officials.