Thai Public Angered Over Social Security Office's Extravagant Spending Habits

[snoop1130]

SSO office in Bangkok | Photo via WorkpointTODAY

 

Thailand's Social Security Office (SSO) is under fire for excessive luxury spending, including first-class flights and costly web applications. Public outrage was sparked when Rukchanok Srinork, a Bangkok MP, revealed extravagant spending details. These included a 2.2 million baht trip for 10 officials and a 100 million baht hotline expense.

 

The trip consisted of first-class tickets costing 160,000 baht each, stays at a five-star hotel in Japan for 16,000 baht per night, and a 35,000 baht allocation for transportation per person. Additionally, the SSO spent approximately 850 million baht on a web-based platform and 450 million baht over eight years, mostly for procurement plans.

 

 

Online backlash intensified as many questioned the necessity of the expensive trips and calendar production. Some citizens expressed frustration about never receiving the calendars, prompting calls for the removal of top officials.

 

In response, Boonsong Thapchaiyuth, the labour permanent secretary, claimed all expenses complied with the law. He explained that the web application development aligns with the Public Procurement and Supplies Management Act. Boonsong attributed the 66% budget increase over four years to system upgrades, aiming to improve services for social security subscribers. The office is transitioning from an old system to an in-house one managed by the SSO, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-02-21

 

 

[JoePai]

Now that is just taking the piff  - about time the Thai people take notice

[OneMoreFarang]

I am outraged that nobody investigates those numbers.

It almost feels like the investigators are also corrupt. Outrageous! 

 

[MikeandDow]

( claimed all expenses complied with the law.)  if this is so the Law needs to be changed

[Purdey]

Can't say the agency doesn't need updated software though.

[MikeandDow]

Public outrage was sparked when Rukchanok Srinork, a Bangkok MP, revealed extravagant spending details. so what will Happen!!   NOTHING !!    Trip for the Boys!!

[lordgrinz]

Government jobs with luxury spending habits, just the tip of the iceberg.

[BangkokReady]

5 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

all expenses complied with the law

 

Doesn't make it right.

[lordgrinz]

4 hours ago, MikeandDow said:

( claimed all expenses complied with the law.)  if this is so the Law needs to be changed

 

Somebody needs to ask him where in the law it states they are allowed to spend extravagantly on themselves when working for the taxpayers.

[SingAPorn]

In the land of the corrupt, does this surprise anybody ?

 

On the other hand, the more you see how things have being doing these past 5 years, the more one can understand that such form of dishonest public money spending is global. Take the US or the European Union for instance.

 

No wonder the usual wokes are pissed off against the Trump and Musk auditing, which I agree, in done in a style that may leave some a bit aghast.

[scorecard]

3 hours ago, MikeandDow said:

Public outrage was sparked when Rukchanok Srinork, a Bangkok MP, revealed extravagant spending details. so what will Happen!!   NOTHING !!    Trip for the Boys!!

 Here's a better one; some years back staff of the Thailand Electoral Commission complained about the plans for an upcoming jaunt.

 

There complain: 'there's only 1 day for shopping at every location in their itinerary'. 

[NoDisplayName]

5 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I am outraged that nobody investigates those numbers.

It almost feels like the investigators are also corrupt. Outrageous! 

 

 

Musk is a wee tad busy right now.

 

You'll have to take a number.

[MikeandDow]

1 hour ago, NoDisplayName said:

 

Musk is a wee tad busy right now.

 

You'll have to take a number.

Thats the last thing Thailand needs is another buffoon

[blaze master]

850mn for Web based platform. Give me a call I'll do it for half that.

[watchcat]

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The trip consisted of first-class tickets costing 160,000 baht each, stays at a five-star hotel in Japan for 16,000 baht per night, and a 35,000 baht allocation for transportation per person. Additionally, the SSO spent approximately 850 million baht on a web-based platform and 450 million baht over eight years, mostly for procurement plans.

 

It's just other peoples money, dont worry.

 

[watchcat]

17 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

Government jobs with luxury spending habits,

 

The one and only reason  they got employed, apart from their pension.

 

.

[MikeandDow]

8 minutes ago, watchcat said:

 

The one and only reason  they got employed, apart from their pension.

 

.

And what do you expect will happen to this obvious corruption ??  Nothing, will be forgotten the next news cycle

[hotchilli]

20 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thailand's Social Security Office (SSO) is under fire for excessive luxury spending, including first-class flights and costly web applications. Public outrage was sparked when Rukchanok Srinork, a Bangkok MP, revealed extravagant spending details. These included a 2.2 million baht trip for 10 officials and a 100 million baht hotline expense.

Call Elon

[klauskunkel]

21 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Rukchanok Srinork, a Bangkok MP, revealed extravagant spending details

People's Party MP, formerly Move Forward 

[scorecard]

2 hours ago, watchcat said:

 

It's just other peoples money, dont worry.

 

 

Other peoples money. Reminds me of a family discussion several years back, my Thai son trying to convince his in laws that all money spent by gov't agencies etc., comes from taxation receipts.

 

His in laws refuse to accept this, they insist that all money needed to pay salaries and all operating expenses of gov't ministries, police etc., comes from the new cash Baht money printed every day by the Bank of Thailand.

 

They believe the Bank of Thailand has a section which tallies what Baht cash is needed for the next day and that amount of Baht (regardless of total) is printed fresh by the printing dept., of the Bank of Thailand. 

 

They insist this is a  daily process. 

[Captain Flack]

A number of off topic posts have been removed, this topic has nothing to do SS in US or DOGE. If you want to discuss those topic there are plenty of open topics in the relevant sections.

[Harrisfan]

"It's only a rort if you are not in on it"

 

 

[PomPolo]

22 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I am outraged that nobody investigates those numbers.

It almost feels like the investigators are also corrupt. Outrageous! 

 

Indeed it probably cost 500 million for the investigators to investigate the investigators, but who investigates the investigators of the investigators.

Sounds more like a pyramid scheme to me.

[OneMoreFarang]

17 minutes ago, PomPolo said:

Indeed it probably cost 500 million for the investigators to investigate the investigators, but who investigates the investigators of the investigators.

Sounds more like a pyramid scheme to me.

Actually, that reminds me of an interview about corruption.

There was some number which was the "optimal corruption" because finding more corruption would cost more money than the actual corruption.

[bamnutsak]

Tip of the iceberg.

 

In the past participants, somewhat idiotically, posted pictures of their champers & caviar.

 

Believe they're told not to do that now.

 

 

[nahkit]

On 2/21/2025 at 3:45 PM, snoop1130 said:

In response, Boonsong Thapchaiyuth, the labour permanent secretary, claimed all expenses complied with the law

Can Boonsong explain why employees of a government agency need to fly first class?

[factual monk]

I won't comment on it as am a tourist who is staying for long as per the visa stipulation. Thai citizens should be concerned about it... Amen...

[J Branche]

I know large businesses in the US have a web portal they use for travel and reimbursement requirements as to what class of flight and hotel will be compensated.

 

I believe that is so there is oversight to avoid any ridiculous expenditures.

 

But this is Thailand so we wouldn't have these entertaining stories to read if this all stopped.

 

Glad to see that our Foreign Tax Money will be put to good use.  I hope next time they charter a private jet to avoid the lines at immigration in Japan.