Hello. I've been relying on information I've read on this site, and on verbal information I was given several months ago at the Thai Social Security office about the health plan. Today I was in for a rude shock.

I recently worked for a government school, successfully completing a contract for one academic year, which actually involved working for ten and a half months. The school entered me into the Social Security system, and they deducted the appropriate amount (750B) each month. After 3 months I was given my SS ID cards, a blue one and a pink one. Today, a month after my contract ended, I went to the Social Security office and asked to sign up to pay on my own, 432B, as they had told me I could, for the rest of my life. I was told that I don't qualify because I didn't complete twelve months of payments. (Even the supervisor told me the same thing.)

When I called a friend later today, she said that all Thais as well as Farangs have to pay into the system for 12 months through an employer, before they're eligible to pay on their own. Is that correct? Is that true for the health plan (Bragan Sukapaap) or just for the retirement plan (Bragan Sangkom)? (The only one I care about is the health plan.)

Do I have a leg to stand on? Any clarification will be much appreciated.

Does anyone have a valid web address or link to the Thai Social Security Department's website for rules and regulations in English? The only links I've seen here open up in Thai.

Is this what you need?

http://www.sso.go.th/wpr/eng/security-law.html#

This doesn't answer the question, but you can continue to use the service for 6 months after you stop paying.

I'd suggest finding another job that will keep you in the system,

or

ask your old employer if they'll keep you on the books for a couple of months.

Make sure they understand that you'd pay their part of the monthly fee (750B) as well as your own part. I assume you'd be willing to do that.

After last payment made, you have 6 months to apply to pay on your own.

Is this what you need?

http://www.sso.go.th...urity-law.html#

Well, that links starts out well and takes me to a page called "Social Security Law," but then when I click on "Social Security Act," it goes to an empty PDF file. It seems to be a dead link. Or am I doing something wrong?

I'd suggest finding another job that will keep you in the system,

or

ask your old employer if they'll keep you on the books for a couple of months.

Two very good suggestions, thanks. I'll have to check if the 12 months have to be consecutive, or if there can be a break in the middle.

The link worked for me, here it is direct to the pdf:

http://www.sso.go.th/sites/default/files/Social%20%20security%20act.pdf

The link worked for me, here it is direct to the pdf:

http://www.sso.go.th...urity%20act.pdf

Thanks! That link did work well and the info is very helpful. It does specify about working 12 months, though it doesn't say if the months have to be consecutive or can have a break. (I'd best ask in advance at Social Security, before I make the wrong assumption.)

as far as I remember it is 12 months but not continuous, I now pay the 432per month by myself.

As far as I understand it (and I certainly don't know it all) I thought they had to be consecutive.