Says that PP censure is taken out of context
PUBLISHED: 19 Feb 2025 at 04: 00
The Social Security Office’s ( SSO ) excessive spending was criticized by the People’s Party ( PP ), which said it made a malicious accusation based on trivial matters and did not provide the public with all the necessary information.
Mr Phiphat said the SSO’s budget for the management of the Social Security Fund ( SSF ) is managed by the Social Security Board, whose members were elected, not appointed.
The secretary advised the person who caused the most controversy by making articles by attempting to question whether she had adequately informed herself.
He was responding to comments by Rakchanok Srinok, a PP MP for Bangkok, who on Saturday posted on her Instagram page her concerns over the SSO’s resources spending, citing increased expenses, such as international trips, education and public relations materials.
The SSO, the committee of the SSF, is under the Ministry of Labour.
Mr. Phiphat suggested that Ms. Rakchanok should have spoken to him about her fears, emailed him in an representation, or also grilled him in a reprimand conversation so that he would have had a chance to respond right away and that the general public would have been informed of all these details.
The recent Social Security Board comprises 21 people, including representatives from staff, companies, and government companies.
In the board member election held in December 2023, the Democratic Social Security Group, which is affiliated with the PP, won all seven seats representing the staff sector.
According to Mr Phiphat, the total budget to fund the SSF management currently accounts for only 3 % of the SSO’s entire budget, even though up to 10 % is allowed.
In response to Ms. Rakchanok’s claim that the SSO and SSF executives spend excessive amounts of money on overseas trips and education, Mr. Phiphat stated that there are strict guidelines for officers ‘ house classes when they travel abroad, which the SSO acquiesces to.
He claimed Ms. Rakchanok’s claim that more than 400 million baht were used to print dates for free submission was harmful, ignoring that the amount covered eight times.
Spending 50 million baht a month on publishing dates for 12 million folks as part of the SSF’s public relations is fair, he said.
He apologised to the 25 million SSF people, noting that some had trouble using the line due to limited ranges.