In a world drifting further away from the tactile towards the digital, the Social Security Office (SSO) finds itself at an unusual crossroads. Imagine clinging onto a relic of the past—a calendar—while trying to navigate the swift waters of public opinion and technological advancement. Despite a strong wave of resistance from members and employers who advocate for completely eliminating the calendar, the SSO charges forward, calendar block in hand, as if readying for the year’s final hurdle race.
So, what’s the fuss about this old-school paper product? A new survey conducted on May 8 uncovered some curious findings. A surprising 68.99% of 20,569 respondents claimed they have never set eyes on an SSO calendar. And an even more astonishing 83.78% of those said they didn’t give a fig leaf for one. It seems the calendar’s charm is akin to that of a wilting houseplant to most folks.
On the public relations front, Niyada Seneemanomai, the SSO spokeswoman, is defending the calendar’s keep on distribution lists. According to her, some of the intended recipients are citizens with limited online access—they simply couldn’t chime in on the survey. And lo and behold, a twist in the tale! The group that clambers for the paper-bound dates includes individuals aged 15-25—yes, the tech-savvy TikTok generation—and their elders aged 56 and above, who find comfort in flipping through the months old school style. It’s like working a rotary phone with an iPhone in your back pocket.
Even though only a mere 37.58% of people showed interest in the calendar, it’s deemed a precious tool by those who see it as a lifeline for crucial information about the SSO’s benefits, happenings, and who-to-call-when-technology-fails-you details. It appears gearing up for another print is already a done deal, given that next year’s funding was greenlit in this year’s budget. “On with production!” said nobody, but everyone involved in the orchestration.
But ensconced in layers of calendar paper is controversy. Enter People’s Party MP Rakchanok Srinok, who unlocked the treasure chest of dissent by declaring that the SSO has churned out near five million calendars annually for over a decade, each year carrying a heavy price tag of 50 million baht. All this without letting a single competitive bid whisper past a boardroom discussion. It’s a grand chunk of cash, she argues, that might be better spent on other member benefits rather than fantastical paper squares that people have never ostensibly received or even desired.
If this saga wasn’t dramatic enough, People’s Party MP Sahassawat Kumkong added a sprinkle of intrigue by posting publicly about SSO’s alleged expenditure liberally splashed on luxury vehicles and opaque donations to various institutions like temples—a scattered generosity with no ledger to pinpoint how many vehicles are joyriding under the name of charity.
So here we stand at a crossroads where tradition clashes with modernity, transparency is questioned against perceived opaqueness, and where for some, a year’s worth of carefully printed dates still represents a tactile beacon for navigating the digital age’s challenging topography.
Why are we even debating paper calendars in 2025? Everything’s digital now!
Not everyone is on board. Some people still prefer paper—it’s nostalgic!
Nostalgia shouldn’t drive policy or waste money!
I rely on that calendar! Not everyone has reliable internet, you know.
We’re not saying eliminate it, but the production cost is insane.
There are worse things to spend money on than resources people actually use.
Didn’t they say young people are into the calendar too? Maybe we’re missing something.
It’s sketchy that no one else gets to bid on making these calendars.
Agreed, if they’re spending that much, it should be transparent.
Over 5 million a year? That’s a staggering number. Why produce so many if most end up in recycling?
This whole thing sounds like a misallocation of funds. Save the money for something useful.
I like having a physical calendar. The digital ones are too impersonal.
Why not just print one yourself? Everyone has printers.
How are luxury cars related to calendar discussions? Sounds like deflection.
They’re part of the same spending spree.
If the younger generation prefers the calendar, maybe it’s a matter of accessibility, not just nostalgia.
It’s easier to see long-term plans with a physical calendar.
Why is everyone blaming the calendars for everything? There are larger financial issues.
The SSO is wasting taxpayer money on both calendars and cars. Prioritize member benefits!
You can have both digital and physical without drama.
FYI, not everyone gets stable internet out in the rural areas.
I just can’t believe they’re using this much of the budget on something outdated.
Digital or not, at least give competitive bidding a chance. It’s taxpayers’ money.
Calendars becoming a political symbol. Who would’ve thought?
Did the car purchase scandal get buried under all this calendar talk? Seems deliberate.
Where’s the sense in giving out calendars nobody wants?
Imagine if 50 million baht was put towards digital literacy instead of printing costs.
Calendars are not just about dates. They’re a cultural thing for many.
Let’s not forget about environmental impact of that much paper!
Physical calendars are comforting. They bring a sense of continuity.
If the younger generation wants them, it’s worth reconsidering.
Print isn’t dead just because most people go digital.
It’s worth mailing out a national poll about these things.
How about a digital opt-in for people who prefer email updates?
Maybe they should trim the calendar budget and audit everything else.
Can we just have options and let people choose? Seems like an easy fix.
A waste of funds, strip the luxo cars before they touch our calendars.