The Veterans Assistance Organization under Royal Patronage issued a statement revealing the timeline regarding the $35 million suit contract and Social Security calendar printing, affirming that all actions were fully compliant with the law. The organization emphasized its status as a state charity dedicated to honoring those who have served the nation.
On 29 January 2026, following online circulation of Social Security Office documents announcing the winner of a direct contract for suits worth 35 million baht, it was revealed that the Veterans Assistance Organization under Royal Patronage was awarded the contract. The organization also held the contract for printing the 2024 Social Security calendar, sparking ongoing public discussion.
Recently, the Veterans Assistance Organization under Royal Patronage issued an official letter. This was a clarification regarding the production of uniforms for Social Security Office staff and the Social Security calendar. The statement said the following:
Regarding the production of uniforms for Social Security Office staff,
in response to media reports on this issue, the Veterans Assistance Organization under Royal Patronage clarifies as follows:
- On 2 November 2023, the Social Security Office invited the organization to submit a bid for the staff uniform project through a direct procurement method.
- On 15 November 2023, the organization submitted its bid. The organization's Factory Operations Office (สำนักงานกิจการโรงงานในอารักษ์) was able to proceed in accordance with the Public Procurement and Supplies Administration Act B.E. 2560 (2017) and the Ministry of Finance’s procurement regulations of the same year, as well as the 2020 ministerial regulation on procurement methods supporting state-promoted supplies (second edition).
- On 28 December 2023, the Social Security Office announced the organization as the winning bidder for the staff uniform contract.
- On 23 January 2024, the Social Security Office signed a contract with the organization for 7,000 staff uniform sets at 5,000 baht each, consisting of:
(1) One suit per person (one jacket and one pair of pants or skirt) for 7,000 people,
(2) One long-sleeve shirt per person for 7,000 people, totaling 7,000 shirts,
(3) One short-sleeve shirt per person for 7,000 people, totaling 7,000 shirts,
(4) One pair of men's pants or women's pants/skirt per person for 7,000 people,
plus 7,000 gold-colored stainless steel Social Security Office pins with rear clasps for attaching to jacket pockets, for a total contract value of 35 million baht, with delivery scheduled for 17 January 2025.
The organization delivered the uniforms to the Social Security Office within the contract deadline. At every stage, from bidding to contract award with government agencies, the organization fully complied with all applicable laws.
Regarding the printing of the Social Security calendars,
1. The organization's Printing Operations Office (สำนักงานกิจการโรงพิมพ์) is a special unit responsible for producing, buying, selling, leasing, and contracting printing jobs, including documents, printed materials, paper products, office supplies, computer materials, packaging, stationery, educational equipment, and all related printing supplies. Therefore, it is qualified to undertake the Social Security calendar printing contract.
2. The Printing Operations Office was contracted to print the Social Security calendar on three occasions:
2.1 The 2020 Social Security calendar, contracted via direct procurement for 49,940,000 baht (forty-nine million nine hundred forty thousand baht).
2.2 The 2022 Social Security calendar, contracted via direct procurement for 54,965,000 baht (fifty-four million nine hundred sixty-five thousand baht).
2.3 The 2024 Social Security calendar, contracted via direct procurement for 54,977,000 baht (fifty-four million nine hundred seventy-seven thousand baht).
3. In printing the Social Security calendars, the Printing Operations Office acts solely as the contracted printer as commissioned by the Social Security Office.
4. The Printing Operations Office does not print the calendar every year. Currently, government agency printers, printers overseen by government agencies, and university printers all have equal rights to compete. The Social Security Office manages the calendar production through procurement processes according to the Ministry of Finance’s regulations on government procurement and supplies administration B.E. 2560 (2017).
The Veterans Assistance Organization is a state charity dedicated to supporting veterans, their families, active military personnel, and those maintaining national security. Its purpose is to honor those who have sacrificed blood, flesh, and life to protect Thailand’s sovereignty and independence to this day.
The organization provides assistance in six areas to veterans and their families: agricultural support, occupational support, welfare and education, loan provision, medical treatment, and promotion of rights and honor, aiming to improve veterans’ quality of life and gain societal recognition.
The organization operates seven special units to generate income, which is combined with its budget to fund assistance in these six areas for veterans, as previously described.
Information courtesy of the Veterans Assistance Organization under Royal Patronage Facebook page.