Bangkok: "Ice Rakchanok" took a decisive step by visiting the Ministry of Labour to demand clarity on the stalled election of the Social Security Board, whose term ended on February 13. She pressed for the release of the public hearing results and all related meeting minutes. The Deputy Permanent Secretary received her petition and projected a clear outcome from the public hearing by next week, affirming the legal functionality of the caretaker board.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Rakchanok Srinok, a prospective MP from the People's Party, alongside Mr. Sahasawat Kumkhong and Ms. Thanaporn Wijan, traveled to the Ministry to seek a meeting with the Minister of Labour regarding the Social Security Board elections. Upon their arrival, they engaged with citizens confronting issues related to the social security system before submitting a letter to Ms. Buppha Ruangsut, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour.
Ms. Rakchanok emphasized her visit was to follow up on the Social Security Board election post-public hearing, which concluded two weeks ago. Despite this, she remains uninformed about the hearing's outcomes. She urged the Minister to make the hearing results public, expedite the board elections to uphold its authority, and disclose all meeting minutes to ensure transparency.
She highlighted the participation figures in the public consultation, with a surge in the last days, raising concerns about potential result manipulation by the Social Security Office. She also questioned the Minister of Labour's inactivity over the past three months on issues like the Skyy 9 building investigation and the stalled CARE pension formula. She called for a transparent electoral process for the Social Security Board, allowing full participation and rights retention for insured persons.
Ms. Buppha Ruangsut assured that following receipt of the letter, the process would be expedited. The public hearing results are expected next week, to be reviewed by the subcommittee revising election criteria by March 9. She clarified that the acting Social Security Board retains legal functionality until a new board is appointed.