Lots Of Businees / Wp Extensions Denied This Morning

[Ian_B]

Hi,

My visa and wp expire this months so I was at the Immigration Bureau this morning and I went through the waiting period much quicker than previous years

When it was my turn I found out why - they now require the social security records for myself and my Thai Staff. I guess everybody else in my queue did not have these docs with them and they too were denied

So I had to return back to my office and will go back later

The lady at Immigration also suggested I go to the one-stop visa centre at Rachada to get the 1 year extension quicker

Don't forget your social security records folks!

Ian

[bluedragon]

Hi,

My visa and wp expire this months so I was at the Immigration Bureau this morning and I went through the waiting period much quicker than previous years

When it was my turn I found out why - they now require the social security records for myself and my Thai Staff. I guess everybody else in my queue did not have these docs with them and they too were denied

So I had to return back to my office and will go back later

The lady at Immigration also suggested I go to the one-stop visa centre at Rachada to get the 1 year extension quicker

Don't forget your social security records folks!

Ian

Ian, Does thailand have a Social Security system??? Regards, BD

[Ian_B]

Yes it does

All my employees pay into it along with myself

However like most people here I have a private health insurance plan so I'd never get to reap any benefit from paying

[Backpack_thailand]

Does thailand have a Social Security system???

It's known as "Bagan sang kom" and it's the same as the UK national insurance. It means you get full medical expenses at any government hospital and selected private hospitals for all employees.

Get his though, for Thais it's 400 Baht a month, for foreigners it's 1,500 Baht..!!!

Exact same service, nearly 300% more expensive for foriegners...that old chestnut again!

[h90]

Hi,

My visa and wp expire this months so I was at the Immigration Bureau this morning and I went through the waiting period much quicker than previous years

When it was my turn I found out why - they now require the social security records for myself and my Thai Staff. I guess everybody else in my queue did not have these docs with them and they too were denied

So I had to return back to my office and will go back later

The lady at Immigration also suggested I go to the one-stop visa centre at Rachada to get the 1 year extension quicker

Don't forget your social security records folks!

Ian

Ian, Does thailand have a Social Security system??? Regards, BD

well don't know if it is a solical security system by the meanings of the words...

You can pay every month but not sure if you get anything when you need it. Maybe it is the social security scam system?

[h90]

Does thailand have a Social Security system???

It's known as "Bagan sang kom" and it's the same as the UK national insurance. It means you get full medical expenses at any government hospital and selected private hospitals for all employees.

Get his though, for Thais it's 400 Baht a month, for foreigners it's 1,500 Baht..!!!

Exact same service, nearly 300% more expensive for foriegners...that old chestnut again!

My staff with salary from 5000-14000 Baht/month does never use that. They all go somewhere where they have to pay for it.

[TerryLH]

backpack Thailand said:

"It's known as "Bagan sang kom" and it's the same as the UK national insurance. It means you get full medical expenses at any government hospital and selected private hospitals for all employees.

Get his though, for Thais it's 400 Baht a month, for foreigners it's 1,500 Baht..!!!

Exact same service, nearly 300% more expensive for foriegners...that old chestnut again!"

A clarification, if I may. Medical coverage is at each persons assigned hospital. You can't just go to 'any government hospital'. Where I'm at they gave me a choice of about 9 hospitals to choose from - a combination of private and government hospitals.

The cost to you or your employer/employee is based on salary, not nationality. The cost is 5% of your salary - up to a maximum of 750 baht per month. The employee pays 750, plus the employer pays 750, which is where the 1500 came from. If you earn less than 15,000 Baht per month you'll pay less. The Thai workers who are paying 400 baht are earning less and would be paying 5% of their earnings.

Once you are no longer earning you get to continue the benefits for 6 months without you having to contribute. If you want to continue in the program, and aren't working, you can pay the Soc Sec office 432 baht a month to stay in it.

H90 said:

"well don't know if it is a solical security system by the meanings of the words...

You can pay every month but not sure if you get anything when you need it. Maybe it is the social security scam system?"

H90 A very good program. It includes medical, disability, maternity, death benefits and an old age retirement thingee.

I've noticed that many farangs are not familiar with Thai Social Security. If you're working, you should be. It's the law that most, if not all employees belong to it.

Actually, a lot of the Thai's I've worked with don't know much about it, as well.

[samran]

At our work, we get little yellow booklets that explain the system (in Thai). There are some pretty good things you can get out of it, including 6000 baht paid towards the cost of a birth - at any hospital - if you've been in the system for more than 7 months.

For most of us, it is just that, a safety net and we'll never have to even use it. But, for me at least, it is a small sign of enlightenment and social justice in Thailand, which is always a good thing.

To see that immigration are using it as way to who is a legit employer and who is not is a great 'whole of government' approach which should help weed out some of the non-compliers.

[Sunbelt Asia]

Immigration was empty today. If you don't have all of your documents complete, they will not stamp a "30 day under consideration stamp.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

[Maizefarmer]

backpack Thailand said:

"It's known as "Bagan sang kom" and it's the same as the UK national insurance. It means you get full medical expenses at any government hospital and selected private hospitals for all employees.

Get his though, for Thais it's 400 Baht a month, for foreigners it's 1,500 Baht..!!!

Exact same service, nearly 300% more expensive for foriegners...that old chestnut again!"

A clarification, if I may. Medical coverage is at each persons assigned hospital. You can't just go to 'any government hospital'. Where I'm at they gave me a choice of about 9 hospitals to choose from - a combination of private and government hospitals.

The cost to you or your employer/employee is based on salary, not nationality. The cost is 5% of your salary - up to a maximum of 750 baht per month. The employee pays 750, plus the employer pays 750, which is where the 1500 came from. If you earn less than 15,000 Baht per month you'll pay less. The Thai workers who are paying 400 baht are earning less and would be paying 5% of their earnings.

Once you are no longer earning you get to continue the benefits for 6 months without you having to contribute. If you want to continue in the program, and aren't working, you can pay the Soc Sec office 432 baht a month to stay in it.

H90 said:

"well don't know if it is a solical security system by the meanings of the words...

You can pay every month but not sure if you get anything when you need it. Maybe it is the social security scam system?"

H90 A very good program. It includes medical, disability, maternity, death benefits and an old age retirement thingee.

I've noticed that many farangs are not familiar with Thai Social Security. If you're working, you should be. It's the law that most, if not all employees belong to it.

Actually, a lot of the Thai's I've worked with don't know much about it, as well.

I have availed myself of the Thai "social security system" before when bitten by a snake - nearly lost my leg not to mention my life, and if it wasnt for the efficiency with which it worked I would not have survived.

Okay Thai Government hospitals look a little scrappy but the care you receive in them is carried out by some very hard working and committed Thai doctors and nurses who earn next to nothing in rural areas. I take my hat off to them all.

Thai Government hospital managers (who read the trade publications) shake their heads when comparing NHS waiting lists to Thai hospital waiting lists - "we just get on and do it" they say adding that we dont have near the sorts of funds that they have in the NHS.

I dont quite know how to read that, but it says something and its a system that does work very well considering the people that have to be cared for versus the funds avalible.

I would not hesitate to reccoment it to anyone - using Bagan sang kom entitlements or just as a tourist walk in.

Tim

[~G~]

Get his though, for Thais it's 400 Baht a month, for foreigners it's 1,500 Baht..!!!

Social Security is 10% of the salary (5% paid by the employer, 5% deducted from the salary), with a cap on 1,500 baht. Same for foreginers and Thais.

Edit: Oops, just noticed TerryLH already pointed that out.

Edited October 2, 2006 by ~G~

[naomisri]

Samran - I might be wrong, but I think the 6000 baht paid towards a birth has been changed to the total cost of the birth (not including private room) at the hospital you "belong" to. I didn't have to pay anything for the cesarean I had as I was covered through my husband (who is Thai).

[Neeranam]

However like most people here I have a private health insurance plan so I'd never get to reap any benefit from paying

You'll get a small pension if you pay it for long enough

[Tywais]

Belonging to a university I also 'contribute' to the social security fund and 5% + 5% is correct. You can find more details here: Social Security Office

[samran]

Samran - I might be wrong, but I think the 6000 baht paid towards a birth has been changed to the total cost of the birth (not including private room) at the hospital you "belong" to. I didn't have to pay anything for the cesarean I had as I was covered through my husband (who is Thai).

I'll have to double check the little book that we have, but it did say that it was for all hospitals, just the paperwork would be different if you did it at another facility that wasn't designated as yours.

I was a bit peeved with it, as I missed out by one month in being eligible!!!

[Ian_B]

Looks like there is still confusion within the immigration bureau about what docs are required for the visa extension

I returned there this morning with all my staff's social security records, which they asked me to bring on Monday. Then they said why did we bring this!

[TerryLH]

Naomisri said:

"...I might be wrong, but I think the 6000 baht paid towards a birth has been changed to the total cost of the birth (not including private room) at the hospital you "belong" to. I didn't have to pay anything for the cesarean I had as I was covered through my husband (who is Thai)."

I hope that is correct. I wasn't aware that Social Security covered dependents. It would be nice if they did.

Are you sure it isn't the insurance given to people working for the government? That insurance does cover family members, including the parents of the worker.

[vvvaaa]

Looks like there is still confusion within the immigration bureau about what docs are required for the visa extension

I returned there this morning with all my staff's social security records, which they asked me to bring on Monday. Then they said why did we bring this!

So dos they need social security records or not? Anybody else been requested social security records? If yes, for how long time, 3 months?

[johnnyk]

Does thailand have a Social Security system???

It's known as "Bagan sang kom" and it's the same as the UK national insurance. It means you get full medical expenses at any government hospital and selected private hospitals for all employees.

Get his though, for Thais it's 400 Baht a month, for foreigners it's 1,500 Baht..!!!

Exact same service, nearly 300% more expensive for foriegners...that old chestnut again!

No different than lots and lots of other countries in North America and EEC.

The system is for the benefit of citizens, not for visitors or non-citizens.

I went to hospital in Khon Kaen once, was pushed to the head of the queue, given a health system barcode number, examined by the MD and sent to the dispensary to fill 3 prescriptions. Total cost was US$5 for the medications. Nothing for the hospital service and all done with smiles.

[Gonzo the Face]

Does thailand have a Social Security system???

It's known as "Bagan sang kom" and it's the same as the UK national insurance. It means you get full medical expenses at any government hospital and selected private hospitals for all employees.

Get his though, for Thais it's 400 Baht a month, for foreigners it's 1,500 Baht..!!!

Exact same service, nearly 300% more expensive for foriegners...that old chestnut again!

No different than lots and lots of other countries in North America and EEC.

The system is for the benefit of citizens, not for visitors or non-citizens.

I went to hospital in Khon Kaen once, was pushed to the head of the queue, given a health system barcode number, examined by the MD and sent to the dispensary to fill 3 prescriptions. Total cost was US$5 for the medications. Nothing for the hospital service and all done with smiles.

Before you throw a 'Hissy-fit' best you check you input.... Expats working here pay the 'Social Tax' as they are getting income in the country or salary. It is based on percentage and tops out at 1,500 baht... Usually this is due to the fact that the foreigner is not working any where minimum wage. Thais do not all pay 400 baht and foreigners all do not pay 1,500 baht...

On the other side....compare what you pay here, even if you do pay 1,500 baht per month with what you would pay back home for just a minor hospital visit.

No , my personal feeling is the health care here is well worth the price of 1,500 baht per month.

My apologies also. I see that others have addressed this point of pay in.....

But my opinion still stands the system here is very very good in comparison

Edited October 6, 2006 by Gonzo the Face

[rcalsop]

backpack Thailand said:

"It's known as "Bagan sang kom" and it's the same as the UK national insurance. It means you get full medical expenses at any government hospital and selected private hospitals for all employees.

Get his though, for Thais it's 400 Baht a month, for foreigners it's 1,500 Baht..!!!

Exact same service, nearly 300% more expensive for foriegners...that old chestnut again!"

A clarification, if I may. Medical coverage is at each persons assigned hospital. You can't just go to 'any government hospital'. Where I'm at they gave me a choice of about 9 hospitals to choose from - a combination of private and government hospitals.

The cost to you or your employer/employee is based on salary, not nationality. The cost is 5% of your salary - up to a maximum of 750 baht per month. The employee pays 750, plus the employer pays 750, which is where the 1500 came from. If you earn less than 15,000 Baht per month you'll pay less. The Thai workers who are paying 400 baht are earning less and would be paying 5% of their earnings.

Once you are no longer earning you get to continue the benefits for 6 months without you having to contribute. If you want to continue in the program, and aren't working, you can pay the Soc Sec office 432 baht a month to stay in it.

H90 said:

"well don't know if it is a solical security system by the meanings of the words...

You can pay every month but not sure if you get anything when you need it. Maybe it is the social security scam system?"

H90 A very good program. It includes medical, disability, maternity, death benefits and an old age retirement thingee.

I've noticed that many farangs are not familiar with Thai Social Security. If you're working, you should be. It's the law that most, if not all employees belong to it.

Actually, a lot of the Thai's I've worked with don't know much about it, as well.

The interesting comment you wrote is

If you want to continue in the program, and aren't working, you can pay the Soc Sec office 432 baht a month to stay in it.

I asked about this and was told not possible for a Farang !!! can you help with more info please

Edited October 6, 2006 by rcalsop

[Richard Hall]

About 3 weeks BEFORE my annual extension is due for re-newal I personally go to the proper Immigration counter (extension on base of Non-Immigrant B ) and ask the officiers there to hand me the latest list of requirements for the process.

I found them to be very friendly and cooperative and last time I went they gave me some additional forms beside the document list. Referring to that list I make sure that I have ALL documents indicated with me when filing the actual application. Usually the officiers use exactly the same list to check whether all documents are complete.

Last year I had my extension already in the passport after a mere seven weeks and just ONE 30 day extension in terms of "application is still under consideration please call again in 30 days".

When I expressed my amazement about how quick the process has been this year the officier handed me my passport with a smile and the words "well, yes you have a lot of paperwork already" tipping on the pile of documents reflecting my history in Thailand.

Extending the WP was also a piece of cake. Equipped with heaps of documents the extension was granted within 5 minutes. Handwritten note in the WP book that extension will be granted for another full year but since the WP validity has to follow the staying permit extension a 30 day stamp was only given first to be further extended without any problems in line of the extensions granted by Immigration.

My experience is to be cooperative as much as possible to make the officiers' job as easy as possible and in turn things are much smoother and quicker for the applicant. It is surely much more appreciated by the officiers if an application is filed with the complete pile of paperwork rather than parts are not proper or even missing.

Therefore to assure this, up-date yourself at the proper address on the current requirements BEFORE doing the actual application.

Cheers,

Richard

Edited October 6, 2006 by Richard Hall

[Backpack_thailand]

On the other side....compare what you pay here, even if you do pay 1,500 baht per month with what you would pay back home for just a minor hospital visit.

Wouldn't cost me a penny, health service in UK, while muchh maligned, is FREE!

And the 1,500 Baht per month is the same as an annual private health plan from AIA, BUPA etc.

[taxin]

The Thai social security is, as someone mentioned earlier a good positive thing for Thailand however, there is one downside particularly when it comes to companies trying to recruit staff.

The bright sparks at the government are paying Thais unemployment allowance, bad move if you ask me.

So, you have a Thai who is picking up lets say 5,000 baht a month for being unemployed (subject to previously paying X amount in social security in his/her previous job), then new employer offers the Thai a job for 10,000 baht....

And the Thai logic is ?.... "What, you mean for an extra 5,000 baht I have to wake up in the morning and work 6 days a week, but I get that now for doing nothing ?... No thanks !"

Hopefully the powers that be will recognise this and pull the plug, sooner rather than later !! Next they will be giving girls free housing if they get pregnant !

Do I sense a staff shortage in the tourism industry for the coming high season ??

[TerryLH]

rcalsop wrote:

"The interesting comment you wrote is

If you want to continue in the program, and aren't working, you can pay the Soc Sec office 432 baht a month to stay in it.

I asked about this and was told not possible for a Farang !!! can you help with more info please"

------------------------------------------------------

This was done at the Khon Kaen Soc Sec office within the last three weeks.

They were the ones who told me about it (I was inquiring for a fellow worker). The next day he went over and payed the money.

'But he was working...?' A long story, but the money was for time when he was not and was to keep him in the system.

The reason this even came up was because my employer wanted to give us private insurance (that doesn't look very good to us) instead of paying into Soc Sec. The newest employee had been trying to get them to deduct for SS but they refused. They let the accountant handle it, and they said 'we don't have to pay for him because the SS act does not say it is for foreigners. While that is true, it doesn't say it's for Thai's either. It's for employees.

The employer is now signing up all employees.

Hope this helps a little.

[dsfbrit]

On the other side....compare what you pay here, even if you do pay 1,500 baht per month with what you would pay back home for just a minor hospital visit.

Wouldn't cost me a penny, health service in UK, while muchh maligned, is FREE!

And the 1,500 Baht per month is the same as an annual private health plan from AIA, BUPA etc.

This is off topic, so I wont labour the point, but I actually choked on my coffee when I saw the comment that the NHS is free in the UK - only at the point of service is it free - I used to pay around 15 percent of my salary up to the first 30000 pounds I seem to recall in National Insurance Contributions. I am off now to get another cup of coffee and clean this keyboard!!!