Audit Reveals 4 Billion Baht Gap in Thai Social Security, Fueling Corruption Concerns
Audit Reveals 4 Billion Baht Gap in Thai Social Security, Fueling Corruption Concerns
BANGKOK, April 29, 2026 — Thailand’s state auditor has raised concerns over nearly 4 billion baht ($110 million) in discrepancies in the country’s social security funds, intensifying scrutiny over transparency and financial oversight.
The State Audit Office (SAO) said it issued a disclaimer of opinion on the 2025 financial statements of the Social Security Office (SSO), citing insufficient evidence to verify the accuracy of the accounts.
Auditors identified inconsistencies of around 382.7 million baht between two government accounting systems, after figures were adjusted without proper documentation.
More significantly, the SAO flagged so-called “phantom assets” worth about 3.6 billion baht. While the SSO reported assets exceeding 13 billion baht, auditors said only around 9.5 billion baht could be physically verified.
The gaps could not be reconciled, with officials also failing to provide supporting records for depreciation adjustments and asset matching, the audit found.
The findings have raised concerns over potential mismanagement or corruption within one of Thailand’s largest public funds, which is financed by mandatory contributions from millions of workers.
The Social Security Office has yet to issue a detailed response to the audit.
The report is likely to fuel calls for greater accountability and tighter oversight of public funds, amid broader concerns about governance and financial transparency in Thailand.
