Hi,

I really hope someone has answer for my problem. I have a company and my wife is a major shareholder and managing director. I think this situation is regular.

But my problem: one very strange law not allows her for signup for thai social security (Social Security Office). But I want social security for her.

Does anybody know the answer, what can we do? Somewhere I read not only one social security system works in Thailand.

I believe that if you are a shareholder or director in a Thai company you no longer qualify to be in the Thai Social Security System.

Previously when the system was set up this was not the case, I think it changed a while back, possibly about 4 years ago.

By the way if you were registered on the original system, you can continue to pay into the system and use it. Perhaps one of law firms on TV can jump in and provide you with more details.

My wife is also director / shareholder of our company. She can't be registered to the social security as an employee.

As she has contributed as employee several years before and because her pension will be calculated based on the years contributed, she is now registered as "informal worker" and keeps on contributing voluntarily 336 bahts/month.

An informal worker is a market seller or a motorcycle taxi for example.

Right, as director of a company you are expected to make enough money to not have to rely on Social Security.

I don't know, if you can apply as "informal" worker in your own company.

But what is possible (and advisable) is to apply for voluntary membership according to Art. 39 of the SSO act. This is especially important, if you have been working for a company in Thailand and then resigned or were fired. You can apply within 3 month after termination, after that it's no more possible. You pay 432 Baht a month (plus 10 Baht transfer fee) and get for that the complete cover of the SSO, especially the right to get free health care at a hospital of your choice (from a list of participating hospitals!). However contribution to retirement are so minuscle, that they might not be worth it.

Now this voluntary membership via Art. 39 might be, what is offered to informal workers.

In any case, go to the SSO headoffice in DinDaeng (behind the Labour Department, same compound) and if your Thai is not so good, get a friend to join for translation. The staff there is very friendly and forthcoming, though you might have to wait here and there a bit due to queues...

Sam M.

Edited November 9, 201213 yr by SamMunich

Thank you every answer. Seems like don't have solution for my wife problems, my lawyer and my accountant didn't have any idea too. Yes, I will tell her please talk to SSO office about informal worker or voluntary option.

I checked another options to like make health insurance in private company, but more expensive a give more less than SSO. For example mainly no outpatient payment.

Social Security in Thailand,... I am truly shocked as a never thought such an animal existed!

I wonder if you have a friend in a similar situation if your wife could be employed in their company as say a consultant and vice versa. Each company could then pay a salary of 15k to the other person, and pay themselves 15k less thru their own company.

i.e might be worth checking if directorship of one company stops you being registered for SS in all companies or just the company you're a director in