By: Magna Carta Law Office
Thailand’s Social Security System is funded by the contributions from workers or insured person, employers, as well as additional contributions from the government. Employers or companies with 1 or more employees, from 15 to 60 years old, must register and submit their employees’ Social Security Fund application to the Social Security System of Thailand within 30 days from the date the employee has began to work. Any changes in the status of employment must be reported to the Social Security Office not later than the 15th day of the following month effecting the change. Voluntary contributions can be made by paying 9% of your earnings up to 4,800 THB each month. Employees earning less than 1,650 shall not make contributions.
Foreigners legally working in Thailand must also register to the social security office and they will be given the same benefits as insured Thai nationals.
The coverage does not include regional, local and foreign government employees, Thai nationals working in a foreign country, private school teacher or headmaster, students or undergraduate trainees employed by schools, universities or hospitals, judges, civil servants, and employees of state enterprises.
The claim must be made within 2 years and the Social Security Officer has the discretion to decide on the claims depending on each case. If after the notice to receive the funds has been sent and the funds are not claimed within 2 years, it shall then become the property of the Social Security Office.
Social Security Fund Benefits
Sickness
The insured employee must have a minimum of 3 months contribution within the last 15 months to avail free medical care at the registered hospital including prescribed medicines. A cash sickness benefit may also be claimed computed at 50% of the average daily rate, which shall not exceed 90 days each time and for a maximum of 180 days/year and maximum of 365 days for chronic illness.
Maternity
A minimum of 5 months contributions in the last 15 months can avail the maternity benefits such as Medical Care amounting to 13,000 Baht and cash benefit computed at 50% of the average daily rate during the maternity leave for 90 days.
Invalidity or Disability
The employee can make a claim if he or she is unable to perform work, provided he or she must have made at least 3 months contributions within the last 15 months. The employee shall be entitled to a Medical Care reimbursement according to Medical committee and a cash benefit computed at 50% of average wages for the whole life.
Death
The insured employee must have at least 1 month contribution within 6 months before death. The recipient is entitled to 50% of the wage payment multiplied by 4 according to the law if the insured person contributed for more than 36 months, but less than 120 months. In case the insured employee contributed for more than 120 months, the recipient is entitled to 50% of the wage payment multiplied by 12 according to the law. In addition, the survivors shall receive Funeral Grant amounting to 40,000 Baht.
Child Allowance
A family can claim an allowance for a maximum of 3 children, with the age of up to 15 years old, amounting to 400 Baht for each child per month if they are registered in the social security system. The family must have made a minimum of 12 months contributions within the last 36 months.
Old Age Pension
A person must be retired with the age of at least 55 years old with more than 180 months contributions. The claimant shall be entitled to a cash benefit or pension equivalent to 20% of his average wage for the last 60 months and 1.5% per additional 12 months of contributions above 180 months. For pensioners who contributed more than 12 months but less than 180 months shall be entitled to a lump sum equal to the contribution from the employee and his employer plus interest. For those with less than 12 months contribution, they are entitled to a lump sum equal to the contribution from employee.
If the insured employee dies before obtaining old-age benefits, and his or her parents, children and spouse have passed away, the old-age benefits will go to other surviving relatives.
Unemployment
The claimant needs to meet certain criteria and must have made at least 6 months contributions within 15 months before unemployment and has registered at the Public Employment Office as job seeker within 30 days after being unemployed.
In case of being laid off, the insured person shall receive 50% of average wages up to 180 days within 1 year. For an employer who resigned voluntarily shall receive 30% of average wages up to 90 days within 1 year.
The recipient can make a claim if the employer ceases to operate the business for a temporary period due to force majeure.
