Thai Social Security Benefits and Payments

[orientalist]

19 hours ago, fcbkk said:

orientalist, 'Kluay Nam Thai' happens to be reasonably near to my home. I am about to register for voluntary contributions and will have to choose a hospital. Distance would be an important factor for me, but seeing your comment i thought i'd better check.

Any specific reason why you stated this, e.g. are they not equipped for specific conditions etc?

P.S. Feel free to send as DM if you prefer not to post on here.

 

Many thanks

 

I saw GPs a couple of times and felt they really weren't very good. They did have an English-speaking PR lady who was helpful, though. I moved to Camillian, which was pretty good. Then they withdrew from SSO and I was put in Lertsin by default. But they specialise in orthopedics and I read there were long queues there so I never went. A year later I happened to be in Bangna 1 (middle of the year) and they invited me to sign up with them. They took care of everything. It is about the same quality as Camillian, and it is better if you can speak Thai. It may seem a long way, but you can get the BTS to Udom Suk, then the free shuttle to Central Bangna and walk over the footbridge.

 

[fcbkk]

On 9/14/2019 at 12:51 PM, orientalist said:

 

I saw GPs a couple of times and felt they really weren't very good. They did have an English-speaking PR lady who was helpful, though. I moved to Camillian, which was pretty good. Then they withdrew from SSO and I was put in Lertsin by default. But they specialise in orthopedics and I read there were long queues there so I never went. A year later I happened to be in Bangna 1 (middle of the year) and they invited me to sign up with them. They took care of everything. It is about the same quality as Camillian, and it is better if you can speak Thai. It may seem a long way, but you can get the BTS to Udom Suk, then the free shuttle to Central Bangna and walk over the footbridge.

 

 

Thank you! Bangna is an option too, will probably sign up for the nearest option first and then change after a bit more time and research. 

 

Thanks all for info and thoughts. 

[Neeranam]

On 2/23/2019 at 11:02 AM, KhunKenAP said:

They are correct. You need to go to your Social Security Office within 6-months to file for continuation of your medical benefits. You are also covered for the next 6-months from your retirement. I was at the Phyathai hospital this week and all was 100% covered. They also told me my regular medicine I take is fully covered.

I went to the SS in Khon Kaen and was told that I can't continue with the insurance. I told them I could and they said to wait until they tried to figure it out. This was one over a month ago and they didn't call back. I quit working 3 months ago and went to the hospital today to find that my SS has been stopped.

Are you sure that when you retire, you are continued for six months?

I'm going to have to go tomorrow and kick up a fuss.

[Neeranam]

On 4/1/2019 at 11:17 AM, KhunKenAP said:

You are covered by Thai Social Security during that 6 month period

I wasn't.

[Neeranam]

On 2/26/2019 at 10:06 AM, KhunKenAP said:

I have heard if you take a lump sum, you do not get SS medical coverage. I will ask in March when I return to their office.

Interesting, I just got 200k from them and they tell me in Khon Kaen I can't, but phoned Bangkok who tell nme I can

[GarryP]

On 1/23/2020 at 6:37 PM, Neeranam said:

Interesting, I just got 200k from them and they tell me in Khon Kaen I can't, but phoned Bangkok who tell nme I can

Did you ever get that sorted?

[Neeranam]

1 hour ago, GarryP said:

Did you ever get that sorted?

Yes, I did. I pay 432 baht a month. 

Last two months were considerable less 86 baht. 

[GarryP]

1 hour ago, Neeranam said:

Yes, I did. I pay 432 baht a month. 

Last two months were considerable less 86 baht. 

I have been informed that I do not get the option of a lump sum. I will have to get it back as a pension. Not sure I will still be able to pay in for the health coverage though. Probably have to make do with the 30 Baht scheme, although SSO is preferable. 

[Neeranam]

On 5/22/2020 at 5:51 PM, GarryP said:

I have been informed that I do not get the option of a lump sum. I will have to get it back as a pension. Not sure I will still be able to pay in for the health coverage though. Probably have to make do with the 30 Baht scheme, although SSO is preferable. 

Strange, did they say why? I thought you just have to be working for 15 months. 

I would only have to work for 3 years to get the amount of the lump sum back. 

 

Maybe in the future, I'll change to the 30 baht scheme, but perhaps the 432 baht a month is better. 

Not sure if there is a limit on the 30 baht coverage. 

 

[GarryP]

7 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

Strange, did they say why? I thought you just have to be working for 15 months. 

I would only have to work for 3 years to get the amount of the lump sum back. 

 

Maybe in the future, I'll change to the 30 baht scheme, but perhaps the 432 baht a month is better. 

Not sure if there is a limit on the 30 baht coverage. 

 

The reason I do not have the choice of the lump sum is because of the length of time I have been paying in. I have been paying in since the scheme for pension started. Once you hit a certain number of years, the lump sum is no longer an option apparently.  This is not a big issue for me, but I would like to retain the medical coverage as it is slightly better than the 30 Baht scheme. 

[rvaviator]

On 6/18/2019 at 1:23 PM, Sheryl said:

You need to have been empliyed and covered for 1 year to he eligible to continue benefits for life.


Sent from my SM-J701F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

Hi Sheryl,

 

Can I ask you if starting employment  (not as a teacher, but in industry) on a  Non IB visa - is there a age limit were you can NOT pay into the Social Security system and take advantage of the public medical system  ? 

 

If I understand you correctly .. after one year of being employed and having paid your SS (if you then stop working) can you then continue to pay into the system and receive public health care until you go 6ft under ?

 

Providing you keep up the monthly payments until that unfortunate but inevitable day arrive ?

 

Thanks in advance ...

 

[Sheryl]

16 hours ago, rvaviator said:

Hi Sheryl,

 

Can I ask you if starting employment  (not as a teacher, but in industry) on a  Non IB visa - is there a age limit were you can NOT pay into the Social Security system and take advantage of the public medical system  ? 

 

If I understand you correctly .. after one year of being employed and having paid your SS (if you then stop working) can you then continue to pay into the system and receive public health care until you go 6ft under ?

 

Providing you keep up the monthly payments until that unfortunate but inevitable day arrive ?

 

Thanks in advance ...

 

 

1. Yes, you must be no older than 60 to enter the scheme

 

2. Yes

[rvaviator]

2 hours ago, Sheryl said:

 

1. Yes, you must be no older than 60 to enter the scheme

 

2. Yes

Thanks for your reply Sheryl,

 

A quick follow up to Q1 if I may ....

 

1.1 So would that mean that if older than 60.  You do not have to pay the 5% social security as you can not join it ?

 

1.2 Would that then apply for the company as well?  i.e. they do not have to pay the employer portion which I believe is about 4% to 6%

 

1.3 Both contributions, capped at 750THB - if able to join (correct ?)

 

Thanks in advance ..

[Sheryl]

I assume that f you are too old to join then neither you nor the company have to pay SS.

 

Thete is a cap bit I am mot sure if 750 or a bit more these days. Definitely under 1000.

[rvaviator]

4 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

I assume that f you are too old to join then neither you nor the company have to pay SS.

 

Thete is a cap bit I am mot sure if 750 or a bit more these days. Definitely under 1000.

Thank you Sheryl for your prompt reply. Much appreciated.

 

[yamadajr]

On 4/2/2019 at 12:15 PM, Sheryl said:

The pink card is Thai ID card for foreigners. Similiar to ID card for Thai citizens but pink in color.

 

To get one you must have a yellow tabian ban.  So would have to wait until you move, when you do I suggest you make landlord's willingness to help you get tabian ban a condition of rental.  Aside from SS, yellow tabian ban/ pink ID card is used as proof of address for immigration, and pink card can be used as ID. The pibnk card is tied to your tabian ban so no need to show the tabian ban once you have the pink card and it is more convenient to carry.

 

Ampurs vary but to get the yellow tabian ban you usually need:

 

a translation of your passport

landlord/house owner's ID and blue tabian ban and they will ususally need to come along in person

some Ampurs may ask for more

 

Pink card is obtained in a flash once you have the tabian ban

 

Re SS, they recently shifted from use of cards to an electronic system and it contains a field for ID number. I believe there is a work around for foreigners - maybe entering passport number or something. It can be done but most functionaries do not know how to. They just see a form asking for an ID number and if you don't have ID they will say they can't do it (worse yet, some have told people not to worry, just show your passport at the hospital but without having registered them through the system in that hospital).

 

Get the pink card if you can. If you cannot, call the main SS office but it may be a bit of a hassle.

 

 

Hi Sheryl & others,

 

I am trying to apply for continued medical coverage under Section 39.  As already discussed on this topic, I am being told that a Pink Card is now required to apply.  Therefore, I am trying to obtain the Yellow Book and subsequent Pink Card, however my District Office has currently suspended these services due to Covid-19 and I fear I will miss the 6 month deadline. 

 

May I please ask for any updates you may be aware of in such situation where I cannot get the Pink Card?  One poster mentioned that the Rayong SS office may be able to process without a Pink Card.  Do you have any updates for this location?  Can I drive to apply in Rayong if I live in Bangkok?

 

Alternatively, are you aware of any updates of the main SS office you mentioned in Bangkok being able to help?  Is the main SS office in Nonthaburi?

 

Thank you kindly.

[Sheryl]

It is not in fact required to have a pink card to enrol. Some SS offices wrongly say it is because they simply don't know how to go about entering someone in the syatem without it.

 

Contact the main SS office. It is on Nonthaburi.

[yamadajr]

Thank you Sheryl. 

 

I had a Thai colleague contact the Nonthaburi office and it seems like the person they spoke with indicated a Pink Card was now required.  I've had extended coverage under Section 39 before from previously leaving employment (without the need for a Pink Card), but the same office I applied at last time now says a Pink Card is mandated.  It seems the Nonthaburi office said I should "negotiate" with the branch SSO office regarding my situation and not being able to get the Pink Card in a timely manner based on Covid-19.  So far, the several SSO branch offices I have contacted are not too willing to "negiotiate". 

 

Thanks again.  In the meantime, I will keep trying.  Hopefully, my District Office will resume the Yellow Book services soon and I can get the Pink Card.  Good to have anyway I guess.  Best regards.

[Bubbha]

For those who are retired and sill maintaining Social Security insurance as an individual payer (432 Baht per month) –

 

Have you done anything for an ID card since the annual ID cards were discontinued four years ago?

 

I went to the Social Security Office on Silom Road 3 years ago to apply for their new form of ID but never received anything.

[Neeranam]

On 6/28/2021 at 6:01 PM, Sheryl said:

It is not in fact required to have a pink card to enrol. Some SS offices wrongly say it is because they simply don't know how to go about entering someone in the syatem without it.

 

Contact the main SS office. It is on Nonthaburi.

Don't they use your tax ID? 

[Neeranam]

On 10/31/2021 at 11:39 PM, Bubbha said:

For those who are retired and sill maintaining Social Security insurance as an individual payer (432 Baht per month) –

 

Have you done anything for an ID card since the annual ID cards were discontinued four years ago?

 

I went to the Social Security Office on Silom Road 3 years ago to apply for their new form of ID but never received anything.

You don't need a SS ID card for anything, do you? You show your Thai ID or Non-Thai ID and they can see it in the system.