The People's Party and insured workers marched on Labor Day to submit a social security reform bill, calling on the public to join in pressuring the Prime Minister and political parties to pass the law and reclaim social security as a right for all. "Ice" urged everyone to help raise awareness of its importance in society.
On 1 May 2026, the People's Party, alongside its labor network and allied labor groups from all sectors, as well as citizens and insured workers, marched to submit a bill amending the Social Security Act to the House of Representatives. They demanded reforms in four areas: transparency, management efficiency, linkage to insured persons, and fund sustainability. The march proceeded from Bang Pho Intersection, Bang Sue District, Bangkok, to the Parliament building, where the bill was submitted and a rally was held at the People's Plaza in front of the Parliament building.
Mr. Xia Champathong, a party-list MP for the People's Party, said today is International Workers' Day, a day when workers stop to discuss problems and remember the history of past labor struggles. These struggles led to better welfare, wages, and fairer employment systems. The fight lasted over 30-40 years until social security was established in 1990. Although social security exists today, it is still unsatisfactory and can be improved. The People's Party recognizes these issues and proposes reforming the Social Security Office in four areas: transparency, professional management, connection with insured persons, and fund sustainability. Everyone here has clearly expressed the will to reform and improve the Social Security Office. As MPs, they are doing their best, but 120 MPs alone cannot succeed; they need the support of insured persons, workers, and the public. If the public unites, they can surely improve ordinary people's lives. He urged everyone to monitor the social security legislation and related bills, saying only public power can fix the current flawed system. He encouraged confidence in their own power to fight together to improve the Social Security Office.
Ms. Thanaporn Wijan, a party-list MP for the People's Party, stated that insured persons have allowed the fund to be managed for too long, during which there have been embezzlements and losses from bad investments. However, she urged everyone not to lose hope, saying the fund can be reclaimed and developed together.
The People's Party has therefore proposed legislation to reform social security by removing it from the bureaucracy. The party sees that the fund has accumulated problems for a long time but vows not to allow corrupt management to continue. All political parties in the House, regardless of affiliation, claim to care for workers and their rights, but in this round of voting, they must pass this law. It is not acceptable to say you love the people but then not vote for social security legislation.
She called on everyone to closely watch and pressure other political parties to join in reforming social security. She appealed to the Minister of Labor to seriously address outstanding issues, including the pension formula and the social security board election, which has been overdue for three months. The minister must ensure that the board members come from insured persons to manage the fund and to eliminate corruption.
Mr. Sahasawat Khumkhong, MP for Chonburi District 7 from the People's Party, said today they officially submitted the bill to reclaim social security to the parliament. The fund was not created by any authority's goodwill but was demanded by workers themselves. Yet, the ultimate decision-makers are civil servants. Political interference has led to questionable purchases, such as a building bought for 7 billion baht but valued at 3 billion, tailored suits, and cars donated to temples—causing chaos. The problems of social security fall into four main areas:
1. Transparency: No one knows how the social security money contributed monthly is spent. They only find out later they own buildings, huge shares in Bangchak, and luxury hotels in Phuket, while the office's management costs 5-6 billion baht annually. The social security board has existed since 1990, but no one knows who the board members are or what they discuss. Although it is our money, we have no clear answers or documents when requested.
2. Professionalism: The principle of social security is to invest the contributions to generate returns to provide benefits. However, in the past decade, the average annual profit was only 3%, due to civil servants lacking investment expertise or transferred from other ministries to manage social security.
3. Connection with insured persons: Social security has existed for over 30 years, but the board has been elected only once. Even elected board members seem to have limited power. Other boards, such as the medical board responsible for treatment decisions and the audit board overseeing budget use, are appointed entirely by the minister. It is unsurprising that no corruption has been uncovered. All subcommittees, including IT and off-market asset investments, are controlled by civil servants with no ties to insured persons, despite it being their money.
4. Sustainability: Experts warn the fund may collapse in 25-30 years due to the above three problems, causing instability. This is why reform is needed to prevent collapse in the coming decades.
Meanwhile, Ms. Rakchanok Srinok, a party-list MP for the People's Party, said that over the years, many may feel their medical and other rights under social security are inferior to the universal health coverage card, or that the lack of transparency has eroded trust in the fund.
“We must start today. I am glad that now it seems all political parties speak the same language as the People's Party regarding social security reform. The Minister of Labor from the Pheu Thai Party has acknowledged that Pheu Thai may submit their own reform bill. Although the People's Party cannot form a government or oversee the labor ministry this time, our long-term efforts have not vanished and have led all parties, regardless of side, to focus on this issue.”
“But if after submitting the bill everyone just goes home and loses interest, it will not pass this session. This is a long-term project. We have succeeded in raising awareness, but pressure must continue to ensure the bill is seriously considered in parliament. If it does not enter parliament or the government rejects it, all our efforts will be meaningless. Therefore, I ask everyone to help make society realize the importance of this issue,” Rakchanok said.
Photo: Thanat Chayaphattharuthee / Phrit Santijitrungreung