Unnamed factions accused of trying to block changes that would help many social security members
PUBLISHED : 16 Oct 2025 at 04:11
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Unknown factions are trying to sabotage public hearings on a new pension formula that could benefit many insured workers nationwide, according to the The Progressive Social Security Group, attached to the opposition People’s Party.
Irregularities had been detected during the online consultation process on law.go.th, a government platform used to receive public feedback on policy proposals, said the group, led by social security board member Sustarum Thammaboosadee, along with People’s Party MPs Rukchanok Srinork and Sahassawat Kumkong.
Mr Sustarum said the proposed formula developed since 2020 and approved in principle by the Social Security Board in March 2025, would raise pensions by an average of 10% for about 570,000 current recipients out of 800,000 nationwide.
Another three million people set to retire within the next decade would see an average increase of around 7%, he added.
However, Mr Sustarum said an unusual surge in online traffic suggested possible interference designed to derail the process.
“Throughout the consultation, the ratio of support had consistently been around 62% in favour versus 38% opposed, with roughly 10 submissions per hour,” Mr Sustarum said.
“But between Oct 11 and 12, we saw traffic spike to over 900 participants per hour — about 900 times higher than normal — raising concerns that bot activity or information operations (IOs) were deployed to manipulate the outcome.”
He accused unnamed political groups of trying to block the reform because they saw it as a product of the Progressive Social Security Group.
“Regardless of which side they belong to, sabotaging a pension reform through dishonest means is an act of cruelty against 570,000 working-class Thais who depend on this system,” he said.
Ms Rukchanok said the new pension scheme would benefit all insured workers, particularly those under Section 39 of the Social Security Act, denying claims that it would reduce benefits for Section 33 contributors.
Ms Rukchanok urged the public to participate in the online hearing before it closes on Oct 17.
“You may dislike us, but please don’t hurt millions of insured workers just because of politics,” she said.
“Some retirees who should be receiving 4,000 to 5,000 baht a month are currently getting less than 2,000. This reform won’t make them rich, but it will help them breathe easier.”