Hi, I was recently dismissed from a company in thailand.

I would like to continue using the social security health service.

I saw somewhere that forigners can also pay the monthly fees to able to continue the service?

Anyone know how it goes?

you have 6 months time to visit the local SSO office and sign up to self pay/continue the healt care for 432 THB/month with auto debit to a Thai bank account

Do you need pink card for this?

33 minutes ago, bkkryn said:

Do you need pink card for this?

I'd simply go to the local SSO and ask them. Might be signed up before someone that actually knows the answer chimes in.

If having, take your Yellow Book with you, as they are usually located in the same area, if not the same building.

On 4/10/2026 at 9:14 AM, MrJ said:

you have 6 months time to visit the local SSO office and sign up to self pay/continue the healt care for 432 THB/month with auto debit to a Thai bank account

is this section 39 of SSO?

my thai wife called the SSO call center, but foreigner was denied section 39 and was informed only can apply for section 40.

Im assuming their reponse is differnt from person to person.

Are u currentl on 39 now?

On 4/16/2026 at 8:42 AM, bkkryn said:

is this section 39 of SSO?

my thai wife called the SSO call center, but foreigner was denied section 39 and was informed only can apply for section 40.

Im assuming their reponse is differnt from person to person.

Are u currentl on 39 now?

i am still working, not yet retired yet.....best is to contact SSO headoffice in BKK as local branches often are clueless and not assisting

On 4/10/2026 at 6:38 AM, bkkryn said:

Hi, I was recently dismissed from a company in thailand.

I would like to continue using the social security health service.

I saw somewhere that forigners can also pay the monthly fees to able to continue the service?

Anyone know how it goes?

How long were you employed there ?

11 months but I've been working, paying tax on and off for like 10 years.

I've spoken to the staff at srinkarin branch (Thanya plaza) in bkk.

They've informed I need the pink and yellow card which I do not yet have and have 6 months to submit after the termination date.

So during this 6 months I'm still covered for health insurance?

9 minutes ago, bkkryn said:

11 months but I've been working, paying tax on and off for like 10 years.

I've spoken to the staff at srinkarin branch (Thanya plaza) in bkk.

They've informed I need the pink and yellow card which I do not yet have and have 6 months to submit after the termination date.

So during this 6 months I'm still covered for health insurance?

I thought section 40 was Thai only ?

Section 39 requires 12 months min employment, your last role being less than 12 maybe why the section 40, seems odd.

You defo need to call them and ask why previous employment is not recognised as that would put you over the 12 month threshold (assuming you piad into SSO in previous employment).

Are/was you a school teacher ?

On 4/24/2026 at 10:18 AM, MrJ said:

i am still working, not yet retired yet.....best is to contact SSO headoffice in BKK as local branches often are clueless and not assisting

AGREE:

• I've had good responses before BY calling the SSO HOTLINE 1506:

• You will instantly get an option of speaking to an SSO offiCer in Thai or English.

• If you select English it might revert to the Thai option.

• Don't give up, this happens if there'S NOT an English speaking officeR available at that time.

• Wait an hour or until tomorow and try again.

• Frustrating but worth trying again because when you do get connected to an English speaking officer they are goo listeners (I suspect they are the SSO on staff lawyers), and you will get a clear answer.

• Before any of the above can I suggest you search on line for a full copy of the:

• SOCIAL SECURITY ACT

• B.E. 2533 (1990)

• English verion

• 11 August 2533

• It should be easy to find online, download it, then read the full details of Sections 33, 39 and 40 and any other sections you find interesting.

• If you do wish to contnue your membership after retireing you must inform the SSO of your wish to continue membership* after reireing. You must infirm the SSO of your desire to do this within six months of retiring. The six months period is not flexible.

• * This means that you now give the SSO a Thai bank account number, the name of your bank and account name to the SSO and they will set up an automatic deduction of 432Baht on the 15th of every month from this account to pay your monthly membership.

• If the 15th is a Sturday or Sunday or a public holiday the SSO auto deduction from your bank account custion moves to the first working afer the 15th of the month.

• If the 432Baht monthly contribution is not deducted (probably because there was insufficient funds in the account don't panic, this is easy to fix; just go to any 7/11 store with a copy of any SSO document which shows the SSO name in Thai and English. Write on the copy your name and your SSO member number (probably the same number on your pink plastic card).

• Show th copy document to the 7/11 cashier, the cashier will quickly open their access to SSO payments on their cash register machine and then ask you (1month or 2?) respond by saying 1.

• Can only be paid in cash at 7/11. Two seconds later you will have a receipt. All done. There is no need to contact the SSO to tell them that you have paid at 7/11, the funds go automatically to the SSO (in your name) within 1 or 2 days. No further action needed.

I had to get a pink ID, and I had to use the pink ID for my official "Thai" name to open the bank account at Krunsri.

The pink ID works as your medical ID as well.

My wife took did everything about six years ago and I do not remember it being much of a PITA. The premium is deducted each month automatically.

I am registered for care at Sikarin Bangna, but I am going to try and change to Golden Jubilee in Salaya.

On 4/25/2026 at 10:39 PM, Yellowtail said:

I had to get a pink ID, and I had to use the pink ID for my official "Thai" name to open the bank account at Krunsri.

The pink ID works as your medical ID as well.

My wife took did everything about six years ago and I do not remember it being much of a PITA. The premium is deducted each month automatically.

I am registered for care at Sikarin Bangna, but I am going to try and change to Golden Jubilee in Salaya.

Yeah, that's pretty much how it went for me too.

The hardest part was actually the bank account! BKK Bank just said go away (no surprises there), SCB thought too hard as I already had two accounts using my passport, in the end I went to Krungthai who sorted it out no problem.

I also got a nice and unexpected refund of my SS payments.

On 4/25/2026 at 10:36 AM, Ralf001 said:

Are/was you a school teacher ?

A school teacher would use WERE not WAS.

8 minutes ago, Crossy said:

Yeah, that's pretty much how it went for me too.

The hardest part was actually the bank account! BKK Bank just said go away (no surprises there), SCB thought too hard as I already had two accounts using my passport, in the end I went to Krungthai who sorted it out no problem.

I also got a nice and unexpected refund of my SS payments.

I was a little disappointed with my SS payout. I worked here for 21 years, but for the first two years my office manager, did not start my SS payments because I was only supposed to be here 3-6 months. Had I paid for 20 years, I'd get the medical free, and a monthly payment,

She's retiring from the company we (she!) set up in '99.

On 4/25/2026 at 5:06 PM, scorecard said:

AGREE:

• I've had good responses before BY calling the SSO HOTLINE 1506:

• You will instantly get an option of speaking to an SSO offiCer in Thai or English.

• If you select English it might revert to the Thai option.

• Don't give up, this happens if there'S NOT an English speaking officeR available at that time.

• Wait an hour or until tomorow and try again.

• Frustrating but worth trying again because when you do get connected to an English speaking officer they are goo listeners (I suspect they are the SSO on staff lawyers), and you will get a clear answer.

• Before any of the above can I suggest you search on line for a full copy of the:

• SOCIAL SECURITY ACT

• B.E. 2533 (1990)

• English verion

• 11 August 2533

• It should be easy to find online, download it, then read the full details of Sections 33, 39 and 40 and any other sections you find interesting.

• If you do wish to contnue your membership after retireing you must inform the SSO of your wish to continue membership* after reireing. You must infirm the SSO of your desire to do this within six months of retiring. The six months period is not flexible.

• * This means that you now give the SSO a Thai bank account number, the name of your bank and account name to the SSO and they will set up an automatic deduction of 432Baht on the 15th of every month from this account to pay your monthly membership.

• If the 15th is a Sturday or Sunday or a public holiday the SSO auto deduction from your bank account custion moves to the first working afer the 15th of the month.

• If the 432Baht monthly contribution is not deducted (probably because there was insufficient funds in the account don't panic, this is easy to fix; just go to any 7/11 store with a copy of any SSO document which shows the SSO name in Thai and English. Write on the copy your name and your SSO member number (probably the same number on your pink plastic card).

• Show th copy document to the 7/11 cashier, the cashier will quickly open their access to SSO payments on their cash register machine and then ask you (1month or 2?) respond by saying 1.

• Can only be paid in cash at 7/11. Two seconds later you will have a receipt. All done. There is no need to contact the SSO to tell them that you have paid at 7/11, the funds go automatically to the SSO (in your name) within 1 or 2 days. No further action needed.

On 4/25/2026 at 5:06 PM, scorecard said:

AGREE:

• I've had good responses before BY calling the SSO HOTLINE 1506:

• You will instantly get an option of speaking to an SSO offiCer in Thai or English.

• If you select English it might revert to the Thai option.

• Don't give up, this happens if there'S NOT an English speaking officeR available at that time.

• Wait an hour or until tomorow and try again.

• Frustrating but worth trying again because when you do get connected to an English speaking officer they are goo listeners (I suspect they are the SSO on staff lawyers), and you will get a clear answer.

• Before any of the above can I suggest you search on line for a full copy of the:

• SOCIAL SECURITY ACT

• B.E. 2533 (1990)

• English verion

• 11 August 2533

• It should be easy to find online, download it, then read the full details of Sections 33, 39 and 40 and any other sections you find interesting.

• If you do wish to contnue your membership after retireing you must inform the SSO of your wish to continue membership* after reireing. You must infirm the SSO of your desire to do this within six months of retiring. The six months period is not flexible.

• * This means that you now give the SSO a Thai bank account number, the name of your bank and account name to the SSO and they will set up an automatic deduction of 432Baht on the 15th of every month from this account to pay your monthly membership.

• If the 15th is a Sturday or Sunday or a public holiday the SSO auto deduction from your bank account custion moves to the first working afer the 15th of the month.

• If the 432Baht monthly contribution is not deducted (probably because there was insufficient funds in the account don't panic, this is easy to fix; just go to any 7/11 store with a copy of any SSO document which shows the SSO name in Thai and English. Write on the copy your name and your SSO member number (probably the same number on your pink plastic card).

• Show th copy document to the 7/11 cashier, the cashier will quickly open their access to SSO payments on their cash register machine and then ask you (1month or 2?) respond by saying 1.

• Can only be paid in cash at 7/11. Two seconds later you will have a receipt. All done. There is no need to contact the SSO to tell them that you have paid at 7/11, the funds go automatically to the SSO (in your name) within 1 or 2 days. No further action needed.

On 4/25/2026 at 5:06 PM, scorecard said:

AGREE:

• I've had good responses before BY calling the SSO HOTLINE 1506:

• You will instantly get an option of speaking to an SSO offiCer in Thai or English.

• If you select English it might revert to the Thai option.

• Don't give up, this happens if there'S NOT an English speaking officeR available at that time.

• Wait an hour or until tomorow and try again.

• Frustrating but worth trying again because when you do get connected to an English speaking officer they are goo listeners (I suspect they are the SSO on staff lawyers), and you will get a clear answer.

• Before any of the above can I suggest you search on line for a full copy of the:

• SOCIAL SECURITY ACT

• B.E. 2533 (1990)

• English verion

• 11 August 2533

• It should be easy to find online, download it, then read the full details of Sections 33, 39 and 40 and any other sections you find interesting.

• If you do wish to contnue your membership after retireing you must inform the SSO of your wish to continue membership* after reireing. You must infirm the SSO of your desire to do this within six months of retiring. The six months period is not flexible.

• * This means that you now give the SSO a Thai bank account number, the name of your bank and bank savings account name to the SSO and they will set up an automatic deduction of 432Baht on the 15th of every month from this account to pay your monthly membership.

• If the 15th is a Saturday or Sunday or a public holiday the SSO auto deduction from your bank account custion moves to the first working afer the 15th of the month.

• If the 432*Baht monthly contribution is not deducted (probably because there was insufficient funds in your bank account thn the account don't panic, this is easy to fix. Just go to any 7/11 store with a copy of any SSO document which shows the SSO name in Thai and English (If it's on;y in English there's a good chance the 7/11 staff don't know what payment it links to). Write on the photo copy in big printing, your name and your SSO member number (probably the same number on your pink plastic card).

• Show the photo copy document to the 7/11 cashier, the cashier will quickly open their access to SSO payments on their cash register machine and then ask you one question '1month or 2'?) Respond by saying 1.

• This can only be paid in cash at 7/11. give the cashier the cash and two seconds later you will have a receipt. All done. There is no need to contact the SSO to tell them that you have paid at 7/11, the funds go automatically to the SSOfrom 7/11 (in your name) withinth in 1 or 2 days. No further action needed.

On 4/27/2026 at 11:14 AM, Yellowtail said:

I was a little disappointed with my SS payout. I worked here for 21 years, but for the first two years my office manager, did not start my SS payments because I was only supposed to be here 3-6 months. Had I paid for 20 years, I'd get the medical free, and a monthly payment,

She's retiring from the company we (she!) set up in '99.

after 15 years your are already entitled to receive montly pension, starting from about 3k THB month and continue your health insurance for 432 THB/month

On 5/1/2026 at 5:32 PM, MrJ said:

after 15 years your are already entitled to receive montly pension, starting from about 3k THB month and continue your health insurance for 432 THB/month

That was not my understanding.

What's a better option?

While one is unemployed and got into the sso health system with monthly 432thb deduction.

Then one get a job, and the company will register into the sso system with 900thb deduction. but needs to be employed at least 1 year to apply for 432thb deduction once unemployed?

If that's the case, isn't it better off to continue 432thb deduction even if one is employed until one retires?

On 5/1/2026 at 5:32 PM, MrJ said:

after 15 years your are already entitled to receive montly pension, starting from about 3k THB month and continue your health insurance for 432 THB/month

update - I have just learned you need to decide either to receive the monthly pension (lump sum only an option if worked less than 15 years) or continue SSO healt insurance, so unfortunatly I was wrong....not sure which way I will choose yet?

6 hours ago, MrJ said:

update - I have just learned you need to decide either to receive the monthly pension (lump sum only an option if worked less than 15 years) or continue SSO healt insurance, so unfortunatly I was wrong....not sure which way I will choose yet?

Choose SSO, you're not getting any younger. The pension will be peanuts compared to your salary.