A public consultation channel has opened to gather opinions on the draft regulations for the new Social Security Board election via a website until 14 Feb 2026 GMT+7.
Information about the public hearing concerning the "draft regulations for the new Social Security Board election," a hot topic especially after Ice Rakchanok Srinok, a candidate for the People’s Party MP, and the Progressive Social Security Group raised concerns. The main points can be summarized as follows:
The draft regulations currently open for feedback propose changing the "election rules" from "team voting" to "single candidate voting."
Under the old system: One insured person could vote for seven representatives, allowing for team-based voting.
Under the new system: One insured person can vote for only one representative, with proportions divided according to sections (Sections 33, 39, 40) to ensure representation from all groups.
Regarding candidate qualifications, applicants must have "political neutrality" and not be under the control of any political party. This has raised questions about whether it constitutes "exclusion" of people’s political groups that previously won the election.
Additionally, the allocation of representative seats uses a new calculation formula (similar to rounding) intended to distribute seats covering all sections, but opponents view this as potentially diminishing the majority voting power of insured persons.
On this issue, Ice Rakchanok and the Progressive Social Security Group have voiced opposition and expressed disagreement on several points, such as:
Ice Rakchanok believes that changing the voting rule from seven to one and imposing political conditions is an attempt by "old powers" to block the younger generation or reformists genuinely seeking social security reform.
Limiting voting rights to just one candidate is seen as fragmenting the voice of insured persons and allowing traditional influential groups to regain majority control more easily.
Furthermore, Ice recently raised concerns about the use of 12 million baht of social security funds to renovate the Ministry of Labor cafeteria, questioning whether the current board is managing insured persons’ money prudently.
Meanwhile, the Progressive Social Security Group is inviting feedback on the draft Ministry of Labor regulations concerning the criteria and methods for electing employer and insured representatives as Social Security Committee members, Phase 1, from 15 Jan 2026 to 14 Feb 2026, via the website. Insured persons can participate in the public hearing at the central legal system website (law.go.th) or clickhere.