Social Security Public Hearing Compares Old vs New Board Election Rules Before Opinion Deadline

The social security public hearing compares the risks of the "old vs new" rules for electing the social security board before the opinion deadline on 14 Feb 2026, with attention on the expected election in July.

The public comment period on the new social security board election rules will end on 14 February 2026. The hearing concerns possible changes to voting regulations, and the main concerns can be summarized as follows.

The election of insured representatives to manage the social security fund is under close scrutiny—not only because of significant changes to the rules but also due to demands from the public and labor unions for benefits that better address real-life needs.

Comparison of election rules: Old vs New

The key change centers on voting power and the grouping of eligible voters:

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  Voting power

  1. Old system: Each insured person could vote for a full "team of seven" representatives, supporting teamwork and overall backing.

  • New system: Each insured person can vote for "only one" representative (One Man, One Vote).
    
    
    

    Criteria for determining winners

    
    

  • Old system: Used a popular vote system where the top seven candidates with the highest votes became board members.

    New system: Representatives are allocated according to insured categories (Sections 33, 39, 40), which critics say may not reflect actual population proportions and could allow candidates with fewer overall votes to become board members.
    
    

    Grouping by insured category

    
    

  • Old system: Insured persons under Sections 33, 39, and 40 were grouped together and could vote for all seven representatives.

    New system: The number of representatives is separated by each insured category.

Demands and objections

1. Opposition to the new election rules: Seen as a "reduction of employee power" in directing the fund's policies.

2. Increased access to arthroscopic surgery: Proposals call for insured persons to access arthroscopic surgery without paying extra fees, reducing financial burdens.

3. Enhancements to dental and unemployment benefits:

   • Increase dental benefits to 2,000 baht per year.

   • Raise unemployment compensation to 80% of average wages, payable for up to 180 days per year.

4. Accountability system for benefit access issues: If insured persons encounter obstacles in claiming benefits due to system or procedural problems, responsible parties must "pay fines or compensation" to the insured.