Sahasawat, MP from the People’s Party, demands resolution on social security issues, calls out employers for defaulting on payments, criticizes 30 million baht budget spent on board election publicity, and warns of likely disorder on 27 September as nearly 70% remain unaware of the election.
On 24 September 2026, Sahasawat Khumkhong, MP for Chonburi District 7 of the People’s Party, spoke during the acknowledgment of the auditor’s report and financial statements of the Social Security Fund, Social Security Office, for the year ending 31 December 2024.
Sahasawat said the report is important because the Social Security Fund acts as a safety net for workers nationwide, with assets exceeding 3 trillion baht. The financial report reveals room for better management through maximizing efficiency by cutting expenses, increasing revenue, and enhancing transparency to boost public trust in the fund.
He questioned plans to recover over 18.3 billion baht in unpaid contributions from 2024 owed by employers and insured persons, especially employers. Since failure to pay social security contributions is illegal, he asked whether authorities have enforced the law, noting that some contributions remain unpaid for over five years, raising doubts about legal action against non-paying employers.
Regarding transparency, Sahasawat pointed out issues with public trust, citing recent problems where many received unemployment benefits either in excess or incomplete amounts due to the Social Security Office’s outdated 850 million baht IT system. He urged prompt completion of the system to avoid persistent problems and further complications, seeking answers on its completion timeline and any additional budget requirements.
Another transparency concern involves the social security fund’s financing from employees, employers, and the government. Representatives on the board are now elected directly by employers and employees for the second time, but many issues have surfaced, including poor publicity. A poll by the People’s Party last week showed nearly 70% of people were unaware of the social security election. Sahasawat questioned why, despite the Social Security Office’s 30 million baht publicity budget, most remained uninformed, leaving political parties to handle election promotion. He called for key performance indicators (KPIs) to be established for such efforts.
He added that a longstanding question has been the target number of employers and employees expected to vote this election, but the Social Security Office has never provided clear figures, making the budget appear speculative without set goals or KPIs regarding voter turnout.
Sahasawat also highlighted unclear rules about bringing notes into polling stations. The Social Security Office secretary-general told the media about practices referencing Senate and general elections. Sahasawat clarified that all actions must comply with legal frameworks; social security elections follow specific regulations prohibiting documents from candidates inside booths, but personal notes by voters are allowed. He emphasized the clarity of these rules but warned that ongoing mixed messages could cause legal issues. He noted that some polling officers have resigned recently, requiring recruitment of replacements this past week.
Polling station issues are another major concern reported by the public, with stations located far from voters, posing travel obstacles. The distinction between valid and invalid ballots must be clear because social security elections involve writing numbers, not marking crosses. Sahasawat hopes all polling officers apply consistent standards in ballot evaluation.
Regarding election result reporting, which will be shown in real-time, Sahasawat asked where and how insured members can follow results and how reporting will be managed. He noted that the Social Security Office has not clearly publicized this process and urged the agency to provide explanations.
There are also document issues on the employer side, as some employers may not be aware of requirements. The People’s Party has helped publicize that on 27 September, voters might face problems if their names are missing at polling stations or if employer documents are incomplete, unclear, or non-compliant with regulations. These problems will be the responsibility of the Election Commission and the Social Security Office. Sahasawat expects no major errors but remains cautious.
"I want to communicate to people nationwide, both insured persons and employers, that 27 September is a very important day. It will determine the future management of the social security fund and those who use the social security money we pay every month. Employers are also crucial because good welfare motivates employees, impacting the overall economy. I encourage employers to vote despite the paperwork involved, for the fund’s stability. I urge all employers and insured persons to participate because the fund is in your hands. Your pension’s future depends on 27 September."