Bangkok: The Administrative Court has ordered the revocation of the announcement postponing the Social Security Board election, allowing the election to proceed as scheduled. According to Thai News Agency, the court ruled that the announcement by the Election Commission for Employer and Employee Representatives, dated July 27, 2026, violated the law by suspending the election procedures without a clear timeframe. This decision was a result of a lawsuit filed by the Progressive Social Security Team, led by Mr. Satharam Thammabussadee and 14 others.
The court determined that the postponement was not justified by any necessary reason as defined by the Ministry of Labour regulations. The election process had been made impossible to proceed due to the announcement, which contradicted the Election Commission's earlier directive from May 25, 2026. Mr. Satharam announced that "the Progressive Social Security team won the case," as the court's decision mandates the election process to resume as originally planned.
The court's ruling emphasized that the postponement did not meet any criteria for urgent necessity. The Social Security Office (SSO) had already secured a budget of 275 million baht, and additional funds could be requested from the Social Security Board if needed. The court further issued an injunction to prevent the SSO from making similar postponement announcements in the future.
Mr. Satharam confirmed the readiness for the election, noting that the SSO had completed preparations, including budget allocations and the printing of over 7 million ballot papers. He emphasized that it is now the SSO's responsibility to adhere to the court's order and conduct the election as scheduled, warning that further delays could negatively impact the management of the Social Security Fund.
In a statement, Mr. Satharam highlighted the importance of public participation in the election, which he described as crucial for returning control of the country's largest welfare organization to the people. The election aims to benefit daily wage earners, children, pregnant women, elderly pensioners, and many others. He urged the public to ensure the election is participatory, fair, and reliable, underscoring the critical role of social security as a resource for the people.