On 1st May 2026, during a time of global instability and rising economic pressure, the streets of Chiang Mai transformed into a collective advocacy space as the Mekong Migration Network (Mekong Migration Network) joined forces with a broad coalition of labour organizations. Bringing together approximately 250 participants, including Thai and migrant workers from the agricultural, construction, domestic work, and service sectors, the event marked International Labour Day under the unifying call, “No Social Security, No Security.” The gathering highlighted the urgent need for a robust welfare state to shield the working class from international conflict, soaring inflation, and an increasingly precarious labour market.

This year’s event placed a sharp critical lens on Thailand’s social protection architecture, questioning whether the system still functions as a reliable line of defence for all workers. Participants pointed to persistent gaps in service delivery and unequal access, noting an imbalance between rising contribution rates and relatively stagnant realisation of benefits. Beyond  administrative rules and procedures, the mobilisation characterised social security as a political question of trust, equity, and democratic governance, with workers calling for greater transparency and participation in the management of the Social Security Office’s budget.

The day began with a unified march from the Chiang Mai Buddha Stan to Railway Park. Participants voiced their message through banners and chants, declaring that “Social Security is a Right, Not a Favour,” and using signs to illustrate that a single cup of coffee can now cost more than an hour’s wage. Upon reaching the main stage in Railway Park, the rally was led by a coalition including MMN, MAP Foundation, EMPOWER Foundation, SWAN Foundation, the Human Rights and Development Foundation , and the Lamphun Migrant Workers Network, alongside members of the Northern Labour Network. The program interspersed policy advocacy with cultural performances by migrant workers that reflected their resilience and collective identity.

Key proposals included the integration of healthcare funds into a single Universal system (to eliminate disparities between the Civil Servant, Social Security, and Universal Coverage schemes, ensuring identical standards of care and treatment access for all residents), a guaranteed 3,000 THB monthly pension, and unemployment benefits set at 80 per cent of wages.

During the public sharing session, a female migrant worker from Myanmar who works in agricultural sector highlighted persistent structural inequalities within Thailand’s Social Security  system stating:

Migrant workers in agriculture and domestic work are still excluded from the Social Security System. Even for those of us who are already in the system, we face many barriers. We cannot easily check our rights or contribution records online like Thai workers can. We are also required to travel physically to the Social Security Office to access benefits, which is much more difficult and costly for migrant workers.

Furthermore, she emphasized that these digital barriers are not limited to social security, but extend across other essential government platforms, including the online employment registration infrastructure:

At the same time, the online work permit system is unstable and takes much longer than the previous system. Instead of improving efficiency, it has created more delays and uncertainty for migrant workers. We therefore call for urgent improvement of the system  or its removal if it cannot guarantee accessibility and fairness for all workers.

As night fell, the gathering shifted toward a solemn candlelight vigil. In a powerful display of international solidarity, MMN members and partners stood in silence to call for an end to global warfare, recognising that the struggle for labour rights is inseparable from the pursuit of global peace. This moment of reflection underscored a central message: until social security is recognised as a universal human right rather than a conditional privilege, the struggle for dignity and justice for all workers will continue.