The CARE Formula Saga 2026: 5 Labor Champions Unite Against the Pension-Cutting Formula
A rare alliance — veterans and new voices in Thailand's labor movement join forces to protect Section 33 workers' pensions from what they call a legally-sanctioned pension theft.
▸Proposed alternative: Best 60 / B60M — use the 60 highest-earning months
▸Still a draft regulation — if pushed through, class-action lawsuit is next
Amid growing awareness of social security rights in 2026, no issue burns hotter than the CARE Formula — which Section 33 workers call legally-sanctioned pension robbery.
— Ko Khuen Mai Dai Kho Than Group / STUC, 2026
The CARE Formula replaces the current pension calculation method — "average of the last 60 months" — with "lifetime earnings average." In theory, this sounds fairer. In practice, workers whose salaries grew steadily over their careers will see their pension base dragged down by low early-career wages, resulting in pension reductions of 20-40%.
This article profiles the 5 key figures standing as the primary defense against this formula.
⚔️ The 5 Labor Champions — Who They Are, What They Fight For
1
Boon Arayapon (Dr. Boon) · Boon.ch8
Ko Khuen Mai Dai Kho Than Group · SSO Board Candidate
🔥 Mass Mobilizer · Social Media Activist
His label
CARE = "The Bad Formula" or "The Pension-Cutting Formula"
Position
Advocates for Best 60 / B60M — select the 60 highest-earning months across a career to set the pension base
Role
Exposes the pension gap through TikTok and YouTube · Organizes petition signatures for administrative court action · Directly pressures the SSO Board
Clip 1 — Dr. Boon: How CARE Formula hits grassroots workers hardest
Dr. Boon explains how the CARE Formula disproportionately hurts the largest group of workers in the system — those at the grassroots level.
2
Panus Thailuan
President, Council of Thai Labour Organizations · SSO Board (Employee Representative)
⚖️ Senior Negotiator · Institutional Heavyweight
Position
Opposes on structural and legal grounds — fund sustainability must come from better management, not benefit cuts
Role
Acts as the "iron wall" in SSO Board meetings — blocking policies that disadvantage employees through seniority and experience
Key figure
Survey of 102,010 respondents confirmed Sec 33 workers clearly lose out under CARE
📰 Prachachat Business · prachachat.net
Council of Thai Labour Organizations to Rally at Social Security Office to File Objection to CARE Pension Formula — Cites Section 33 Harm
Panus Thailuan stated that from the public hearing results involving 102,010 participants: "Section 39 members, numbering over 1.6 million, would benefit from the CARE Formula, while Section 33 workers — formal employees — would face impact in the form of reduced pension amounts."
Pensions must be fair and reflect the value of skilled labor — CARE destroys the seniority principle that rewards career growth
Role
Files formal objections at ministerial and government level · Argues that reducing pension amounts constitutes an adverse change to employment conditions under labor law
Clip 2 — Manas Koson: CARE Formula reduces Section 33 benefits
Manas Koson provides a technical analysis of how the CARE Formula structurally reduces benefits for Section 33 contributors.
Clip 3 — Sawit Kaewwan: Pension reduction as an adverse change to employment conditions
Sawit Kaewwan argues that reducing pension amounts through the CARE Formula constitutes an adverse change to employment conditions under Thai labor law.
4
Manas Koson
Labour Social Security Network (KLSK)
📊 Research & Policy Expert
Position
Opposes any formula that retroactively reduces vested rights (Non-retroactive principle) — accumulated entitlements must not be clawed back
Role
Documents how CARE reduces retiree purchasing power at a macro level, creating long-term negative economic consequences
5
Chansin Sap-nonwai
Labour for Society Group
📡 Field Organizer · Worker Megaphone
Position
Protects Sec 33 and Sec 39 long-term contributors — CARE is "the bad formula"; B60M is the right alternative
Role
Bridges Dr. Boon's group with broader labor networks · Live-streams information for workers · First responder when contributors face unfair treatment
Clip 4 — Dr. Boon interviews Chansin: CARE is the bad formula, B60M is the solution
Dr. Boon interviews Chansin Sap-nonwai — why CARE is the bad formula, and why B60M (average of 60 highest-contribution months) is a fairer alternative for all workers.
📊 Why CARE Is Opposed from Every Direction
Worker Group
Impact from CARE Formula
What Opponents Demand
Sec 33 — career salary growth
Pension cut 20-40% — early low-salary years drag average down
Use Best 60 formula or keep current method
Sec 33 — flat salary
Smaller impact, but still a net loss
Improve other benefit categories instead
Sec 39 (former Sec 33)
Slight increase in some scenarios
Do not penalize Sec 33 to subsidize Sec 39
New workforce entrants
Lesser impact — but sets a harmful precedent
Build a sustainable, equitable system from the start
"This is not ordinary. When labor veterans and new-generation advocates unite this firmly, it is a signal the government cannot ignore."
— Situation Analysis, March 2026
🔍 Where Things Stand (March 2026)
The CARE Formula remains a draft ministerial regulation awaiting Cabinet approval. The alliance of five leaders (Panus–Sawit–Manas–Boon–Chansin) is rare: senior labor figures and new-generation advocates standing together this firmly is a signal that this issue carries serious political weight.
🚨
If the government pushes CARE through without concessions...
A class-action administrative court case is likely — potentially the largest in Thai Social Security history.
The opposition's preferred path: Switch to Best 60 / B60M, or apply CARE only to new entrants without touching accrued rights.
🧮 Calculate Your Pension — Know Your Real Numbers
See how much the CARE Formula would affect your pension Sec 33/39 calculator · 28-year interest · 8 languages
What is the CARE Formula and why is it being opposed?
The CARE Formula changes pension calculation from "average of the last 60 months" to "lifetime average." Section 33 workers with career salary growth will see pensions reduced 20-40%, because low early-career earnings drag the average down.
Who are the 5 leaders opposing the CARE Formula?
1. Panus Thailuan — Council of Thai Labour Organizations. 2. Sawit Kaewwan — Solidarity Labour Union of Thailand. 3. Manas Koson — Labour Social Security Network. 4. Boon Arayapon — Ko Khuen Mai Dai Kho Than Group. 5. Chansin Sap-nonwai — Labour for Society Group.
What is the Best 60 / B60M formula?
Best 60 selects the 60 highest-earning months from a worker's entire career to calculate the pension base, instead of averaging all lifetime earnings. This reflects the true value of experienced, skilled labor and is the core alternative proposed by opposition groups.
How much would CARE reduce Section 33 pensions?
Workers with career salary growth could see reductions of approximately 20-40%. Workers with flat salaries face a smaller but still negative impact. Section 39 members may see slight increases in some scenarios.
What is the current status of the CARE Formula?
As of March 2026, CARE remains a draft ministerial regulation awaiting Cabinet approval. If the government proceeds without concessions, opposition groups are prepared to file a class-action administrative court case. Follow updates at Stop CARE Formula article.
