Thai social security health insurance for teachers at a private school

[VfB]

Hi

I am working already since 5 years as a teacher at a private school here in Bangkok. We have a private health insurance but as I am not getting younger I want to find the right insurance for me and my wife for the time once I am retired. We (both foreigners) plan to stay here in Thailand. I read good things about the Thai social security health cover that can be extended into the retirement in just paying 400+ THB per month once you are retired, but I also read that private Schools are not included here. Is this true or is there a chance to get into the Thai social security in paying the 750 + 750= 1500 THB on my own which I would be ready to do?

And can I also include my wife here (she is currently not working).

If not - what would be my alternatives?

Thanks for any kind of information

[stevenl]

Yes, private schools are not part of the system. Unfortunately you can not buy yourself into it, I would be very tempted to do that myself as I'm sure would many others.

Your only option is private insurance, which as you probably know is not cheap.

[TerryLH]

Another option is to change jobs to one that is eligible for SS.

You cannot join the system once you are 60 years old, but you can continue in it if you are already in it.

You have to pay into the system 12 months through employment before you can start paying on your own. Paying on your own is 432 baht a month.

Social Security does not cover other family members. Only those who have entered through employment.

Edited February 3, 2015 by TerryLH

[lostinisaan]

Another option is to change jobs to one that is eligible for SS.

You cannot join the system once you are 60 years old, but you can continue in it if you are already in it.

You have to pay into the system 12 months through employment before you can start paying on your own. Paying on your own is 432 baht a month.

Social Security does not cover other family members. Only those who have entered through employment.

The joke is that a foreigner who's married to a Thai, who's in the SS is automatically insured. Unfortunately does it not work the way around, when married to a Thai.

Terry, you seem to be very knowledgeable regarding that matter. Why can't a foreigner take his Thai wife in? When you read the Thai SS act, there's no mention of foreigners.

The 13 digit number on my card doesn't even exist in the system. Are we really second, or third class citizens? I'm afraid we are.

[TerryLH]

"The joke is that a foreigner who's married to a Thai, who's in the SS is automatically insured."

That is not true.

You are probably thinking about the government system for Civil Servants. The families of covered employees in that system are also covered.

"When you read the Thai SS act, there's no mention of foreigners."

That's because the system doesn't differentiate between Thai's and foreigners. They are treated the same.

It's a system for 'employees', people who are working.