SSO Clarifies 275M Baht Social Security Board Election Budget Amid Confusion
The Social Security Office addresses public debate over the discrepancy between a 30 million baht polling station estimate and a 275 million baht total project budget.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- SSO clarifies the total social security board election budget is 275 million baht
- The 30 million baht figure covers only initial polling station setup costs
- The variance stems from different calculation bases and project scopes
On July 30, 2026, Ms. Kanchana Poolkaew addressed public criticism regarding the contrasting budget figures for electing employer and insured person representatives to the Social Security Board. Questions arose after court filings cited a 30 million baht estimate for advance registration, while overall project budget requests reached 275 million baht.
This discrepancy sparked public scrutiny over how financial resources are allocated and projected for the upcoming election process, prompting an official explanation from the authorities regarding the distinct budgeting frameworks used for different operational stages.
The Social Security Office explained that the 30 million baht figure represents a preliminary calculation solely for establishing polling stations, based on registered data as of July 15, 2026. This initial estimate excluded other operational expenses and did not account for additional registrations during the final five days.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Meanwhile, the 275 million baht allocation encompasses the entire election project, covering administrative expenses such as the election operations center, personnel compensation, meetings, training, equipment, public relations, venue preparation, and ballot box transportation, assuming a 50% voter turnout.
Public sector budgeting often involves breaking down macro project costs from micro operational estimates. Separating overall administrative expenses from specific site setups allows agencies to forecast resource allocation effectively, though transparent communication remains essential to prevent public misunderstandings regarding legal and administrative filings.
Ms. Kanchana reaffirmed that the numerical difference results from distinct calculation baselines, noting that figures presented to the administrative court aimed to compare costs between advance registration and accommodating all 12 million insured persons. The SSO will finalize budget details to match actual polling stations and disburse funds according to approved plans.
Source: Khaosod Politics
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