Social Security

The Thailand’s Social Security Office (SSO), they run a contributory social insurance scheme.This covers the most private-sector workers (and many eligible foreign employees). Likewise It provides a package of cash and medical benefits. This covers sickness, maternity as well as how the system works. Likewise, who is covered as well as how benefits are calculated and claimed. Lastly, there are notes for employers, employees as well as foreign workers.

1.Brief on how Thailand’s social security system works 

The SSO Social Security Office in Thailand is the main contributor to what is a social security scheme. This scheme falls under the Ministry of Labour. The law under which it falls is the Social Security Act which is called the SSF or Social Security Fund. Section 33 (Article 33) — There is compulsory coverage in Thailand for employees in the formal private sector (the vast majority of wage workers).

Employers must register and make monthly contributions for covered staff Section 39 — voluntary continuation of payments for people previously insured under Section 33 As an example, if you lose your job and want to voluntarily continue paying).

Section 40 — voluntary insurance for the informal sector or for self-employed workers. Those who wish to join the system under specific terms and conditions. You will note that the SSO also administers the separate Workmen’s Compensation Fund which is meant for workplace accidents.

2. Funding and contribution

The SSO or Social Security scheme is financed by monthly contributions shared between employee, employer and the state. The pattern for employees under Section 33 the contribution pattern has been:

Employee: 5% of monthly wages (subject to a statutory wage base cap).

Employer: 5% of monthly wages (same wage base cap).

Government: contributes from general revenue for some schemes and specific funds (varies by benefit and policy decisions).

Note:

The wage base can change depending on government. The contribution percentages and reforms have been discussed. Historically it has always been a 5%/5% split.

3. Broad list of benefits covered

The SSO or Social Security Fund provides multiple core benefits.This has usually split between medical services and cash benefits:

• Medical / in-kind benefits
• Medical treatment for sickness and injury. This is at an SSO-designated hospital.
• Where you live will normally determine your hospital.
• Maternity care. This will include medical visits, hospitalisation for childbirth in the SSO network. Note that you will need to belong to the SSO for a certain mount of
  time.

Cash benefits

The following is viewed as a cash benefit:

• Sickness cash allowance (This when there is an inability to work due to illness).
• Maternity cash benefit (This includes income replacement while on maternity leave, and sometimes a childbirth allowance).
• Invalidity/disability benefits (This is for partial or total disability payments).
• Old-age pension/retirement benefits (This can be a lump sum or periodic payments depending on scheme and years of contributions). Note this is at 65 years of age.
• Death benefit and funeral allowances to the beneficiaries.
• Child allowance (These are monthly payment for dependent children under certain
  conditions).
• Unemployment benefit (This is cash replacement when an insured person becomes
  unemployed and meets eligibility rules).

The seven core benefit types (sickness, maternity, invalidity, death, old-age, child allowance and unemployment) is called primary protection.

4. Eligibility — who can claim which benefits

Note that eligibility rules differ by benefit; three general rules are helpful:

You must be an “insured person” . In other words you will need to be an enrolled person under Section 33, or under Section 39/40 where relevant. Note that for foreign employees, enrolment is normally required once they hold a Thai work permit and are employed physically in Thailand. These foreign nationals are generally eligible for the same benefits as Thai nationals.

Minimum contribution periods apply for many cash benefits.

For example:

For child allowance as well as for some maternity benefits. The Social Security requires a minimum number of contribution months in a recent period. This is commonly for a 12 months this within the last 36 months for some benefits.

For the unemployment benefits in Thailand, the usual eligibility test requires at least 6 months’ contributions within the 15 months before unemployment (see the unemployment section below for more detail).

The cause and circumstances matter. The Act of unemployment created by employer termination. This often brings different rates and duration’s than unemployment after resignation. Maternity and sickness have their own conditions, and death benefits differ if the death is work-related (then workmen’s compensation rules apply).

5. Death benefits — what the family receives and how it’s paid

When it comes to the death benefits are an important protection for family financial security. In Thailand’s social security system likewise provides cash payments to beneficiaries. This when an insured person dies, subject to eligibility rules and the status of contributions.

Key elements, note the two elements listed

Funeral allowance: The Social Security provides a one-time funeral allowance. Note that this is a fixed nominal amount. It pays this out to the legal beneficiaries. The payout amount is very modest and intended to help with immediate funeral costs. Death or lump-sum payments: This is different to the funeral allowance. Note that If the insured dies before receiving old-age pension payments. Then beneficiaries are typically entitled to receive a lump-sum payment that often equals the sum of contributions made by the insured and the employer.

Likewise a formula based on the insured’s contribution record and period of contribution. Should the insured already have received retirement pay for fewer than a specified period. Calculations apply (for example a certain number of retirement payments may be due to survivors). The exact formula depends on the insured’s
contribution history and whether retirement benefit payments had commenced. )

Work-related death

If the death resulted from a workplace accident or occupational disease, the Workmen’s Compensation Fund provides different and usually more generous benefits (compared with non-work deaths), including periodic payments to dependents and possibly higher lump sums.

Claim procedure (practical)

The family or legal heir must report the death to the SSO and present required documents. These are the death certificate, your proof of relationship, ID card. Likewise the deceased’s SSO book or number as well as the employers’ statements.

The Social Security processes the claim and if eligible, the funeral allowance is normally quick. When it comes to the death payments require verification of contribution history and may take longer. There is a claim form list which the Social Security Office will provide you with.Most of the provincial offices make payments direct into the bank account.

6. Maternity benefits — The 3 elements

Maternity protection under Thailand’s system includes medical care, income replacement during maternity leave, and a childbirth allowance in some cases. There are three distinct elements to keep in mind.

6.1 Medical care for pregnancy and childbirth

The registered insured persons is to use the SSO-contract hospitals for antenatal care, delivery and postpartum treatment. This falls under the SSO medical benefit scheme. This covers specified visits and hospitalisation as needed.

6.2 Maternity leave and cash replacement

The the Social Security Fund usually provides 50% of wages as an income-replacement. This is the cash maternity allowance for a set leave period which is normally for a period of 90 days.Note that it also limits the number of times the paid maternity benefit can be claimed.

Note that it can be claimed for two births.

After it has been active for many years. There have been recent changes. There have been proposal for a 98 day maternity leave. There have also been a proposal for a payment period of 180 days.

6.3 Childbirth allowance

The Social Security Fund has provided a childbirth allowance which is nothing more than a lump sum per birth. There several legal and government sources referencing a payment around THB 15,000 per birth.

Practical points

In most private-sector employment situations, employers pay a period of full salary (for example 45 days) and the SSO covers the remainder (for example 45 days at 50% under older splits). These interactions depend on the employer’s internal leave policy and the Labour Protection Act. Foreign employees who are insured under Section 33 can claim the same maternity benefits as Thai nationals (provided the contribution eligibility is met).

7. Unemployment benefit — eligibility, rates and recent reforms

Unemployment insurance is a major feature and also an area where rules have changed in recent years. The unemployment benefit is cash assistance for insured persons who become unemployed, with eligibility and benefit rates depending on the circumstances.

Eligibility (typical rule)

To qualify for unemployment benefit a claimant normally must have contributed to the Social Security Fund for at least 6 months in the 15 months before becoming unemployed. The claimant must also have registered as unemployed at the Department of Employment (or the SSO online portal) and be available for work/participate in job placement or training when requested.

Rates and duration — distinction between termination and resignation

If laid off/terminated by employer: Historically the SSO paid a higher replacement rate (for example historically 50% of salary up to the wage cap) for a longer period (up to 180 days in a given year). If the employee resigns voluntarily: The replacement rate and maximum period are typically lower (e.g., 30% of salary for up to 90 days) — the logic is to encourage job retention and discourage voluntary exit when avoidable.

Recent reforms (important)

In 2024–2025 Thailand introduced reforms that increased unemployment replacement rates for laid-off workers and adjusted maximum duration. Several reputable news and legal sources report increases to the replacement rate (for terminated employees) up to 60% of wages and extension of the maximum payment period (for example up to 180 days), though the wage base for calculation typically remains capped (often stated around THB 15,000/month in many summaries).

These changes were implemented by ministerial regulation and official SSO  announcements; they represent a clear effort to strengthen the safety net for laid-off workers. Always check the SSO notice about the exact effective dates and the capped wage base.

How to claim

Register as unemployed with the Department of Employment (or the SSO online systems) within the deadline (often within 30 days of dismissal). Submit the SSO claim forms and documents (termination letter, employer confirmation of last salary, ID).

Participate in any job placement referral processes required by the Department of Employment. Await SSO processing and payments (monthly or periodic) into the claimant’s bank account.

8. Other major benefits (brief summaries)

8.1 Sickness cash benefits

If an insured person cannot work due to sickness, they may receive a cash allowance for each day of incapacity (subject to qualifying contributions and medical certification). The allowance is a percentage of average wage calculated per SSO rules (and there are caps and waiting periods). Medical treatment itself is provided by SSO network hospitals.

8.2 Invalidity / disability

For total or partial disability the SSO provides cash payments (either periodic or lump sum depending on the severity and the contributions). Eligibility depends on certified medical assessments and contribution history. Rehabilitative or supportive services may also be offered through the SSO.

8.3 Old-age benefits (retirement)

Old-age benefits should be payable when the insured person reaches the statutory retirement age. Likewise also meets the minimum contribution periods. The form of benefit (periodic pension vs a lump sum) and calculation method depend on the specific rules and on whether recent reforms introduce additional old-age pension components. The SSO and government periodically review pension eligibility rules and minimum contribution requirements.

8.4 Child allowance

For insured parents who meet contribution tests, the SSO pays a monthly allowance per child up to a specified age (historically under 15) with limits on the number of children eligible (commonly up to three children). Contribution thresholds and claim procedures apply.

9. Practical tips — employers, employees and foreign workers

For employers

Register promptly. If you employ even one person you must register the company and employees with the SSO within the statutory deadline. If you fail to register them and remit contributions. This could can lead to fines, interest and administrative action.

Keep records. You will need to maintain payslips as well as their employment contracts. You also have to keep their termination letters as well as proof of wage bases. Note that the SSO claims often require employer confirmation.

Understand interactions with labour law. Labour Protection Act leave entitlements (for example the employer’s statutory maternity leave obligations) interact with SSO cash benefits — offer clarity to staff on how the two systems work together.

For employees and insured persons

Know your SSO number and contribution history. Before a claim, confirm the months you paid in the relevant window (e.g., 6/15 months for unemployment, 12/36 months for some child allowances). Document everything. For sickness/maternity claims you will need medical certificates; for unemployment you will need the termination letter and proof of contributions.

10. Gaps, common problems and recent policy debates

Coverage gaps for informal workers: There is a significant informal sector in Thailand. You will note that Section 40 allows for voluntary cover for some self-employed persons. This leaves certain gaps. Policy debates have focused on making social protection more inclusive.

Benefit adequacy vs wage cap: Cash benefits are usually calculated by using a capped wage base. This is a maximum monthly wage used in benefit calculations. Likewise higher-earning workers may find SSO replacement rates relatively modest. I think the maximum base is calculated on 15,000 THB per month. There have been many talks about this as an updated policy.

Maternity leave expansion pressure: Civil society and labour organizations have long been pressed for longer paid parental leave. This involves a move to 180 days. The government has considered this policy changes. As of late-2024/2025 there have been discussions and ministerial interest in expanding maternity benefits. You can check the SSO and MOL official publications for enacted changes.

Implementation and timeliness: Administrative delays, documentation requirements and confusion about eligibility windows are frequent causes of frustration for claimants; good employer HR practices and early SSO engagement smooth the process.

11. How to claim — step by step (generic roadmap)

Identify the benefit. You need to file for with the maternity benefits or death benefits. There is also the unemployment benefits as well as sickness benefits. Check contribution eligibility. Confirm the required months of contribution in the qualifying period for that benefit.

Collecting the required documents. Typically: national ID, SSO book/card/number, employer’s statement or termination letter (for unemployment), medical certificates (for sickness/maternity), death certificate and heir documents (for death claims).

Submit the claim to your local SSO office or via the SSO online portal / SSO PLUS app where available. Some steps (like unemployment registration) require the Department of Employment. Follow up with the SSO and keep copies of all forms. Payments are usually made by bank transfer when processed.

12. Useful official resources (where to double-check current rules)

Social Security Office (SSO) — official site (benefit descriptions, forms and news).

Ministry of Labour (MOL) — for policy announcements and statutory changes. Department of Employment — for unemployment registration and job placement obligations (in addition to SSO claims). Reliable legal/HR firms (for plain-English guides on contribution rates, caps and recent ministerial regulations). Examples used above included law-firm and HR write-ups reporting the 2024–25 updates.

13. Short case examples (practical scenarios)

Case A — New mother (Thai or foreign) working under Section 33. She has been contributing monthly for 24 months. She is due to give birth. She applies for maternity cash benefit: SSO rules allow cash replacement (historically

50% of wages for 90 days) and possibly a childbirth allowance (e.g., THB 15,000) — while her employer also pays the employer-obligation portion per the Labour Protection Act. She presents medical certificates and proof of contributions; the SSO pays the benefit as a lump sum or per rules.

Case B — Worker laid off after 12 months’ contributions

He contributed monthly for 12 of the past 15 months and is terminated for operational reasons (not disciplinary). He registers at the Department of Employment within 30 days, files an unemployment claim with SSO and (under recent rules) is eligible for unemployment benefit at a replacement rate that recent ministerial rules have raised (to around 60% up to a capped wage) for laid-off workers, paid for a limited number of days/months (up to 180 days in some regimes). He must accept job referrals and training offers as part of continued
eligibility.

14. Final notes and recommendations

Policy changes are active. Over 2024–2025 Thailand has seen concrete adjustments to unemployment benefit generosity and active discussions on maternity extensions and wage base caps. Because the SSO publishes ministerial regulations, always confirm the effective dates and the wage cap before relying on a numeric example (e.g., “THB 15,000 cap” is frequently cited but can change).

Foreign employees: If you are a foreign worker in Thailand, ensure your work permit and SSO registration align — you’ll usually be entitled to the same protections as Thai staff once enrolled. For employers: set up clear HR workflows for SSO registration, contributions and documentation; this avoids delays for staff claiming benefits.