Private social insurance / Foreigner

[BruceMangosteen]

5 hours ago, Oohwan said:

How could they have refused you if you were already paying into the system?  I heard once you in your in for life.  Did you ever stop your personal contribution or miss a payment?  

It seems as if this is a new policy or procedure. Perhaps you were lucky or perhaps the fact you are married to a Thai national mattered. My friend's papers weren't scrutinized closely enough to decipher that in her case but I just don't know. No "yellow book", no conversion. Take it up with the municipality. (Sheryl, she rents from another foreigner so your idea of going in with same doesn't work/apply) In reality who can blame the Thai Government for not wanting to insure aging or any foreigners? I've advised my friend to keep trying as you never know, maybe there is some way to convert. Research and consideration indicates it's a rule, not the law. That said, there may not be a law. This makes legal action perhaps fruitless however it may be worth a try if you can find an attorney willing to go up against such a giant. It's sad as you say because people were under the impression they could stay in it for life. Things just change is all I suppose. God Bless You and good luck. OO.

[Oohwan]

16 minutes ago, BruceMangosteen said:

It seems as if this is a new policy or procedure. Perhaps you were lucky or perhaps the fact you are married to a Thai national mattered. My friend's papers weren't scrutinized closely enough to decipher that in her case but I just don't know. No "yellow book", no conversion. Take it up with the municipality. (Sheryl, she rents from another foreigner so your idea of going in with same doesn't work/apply) In reality who can blame the Thai Government for not wanting to insure aging or any foreigners? I've advised my friend to keep trying as you never know, maybe there is some way to convert. Research and consideration indicates it's a rule, not the law. That said, there may not be a law. This makes legal action perhaps fruitless however it may be worth a try if you can find an attorney willing to go up against such a giant. It's sad as you say because people were under the impression they could stay in it for life. Things just change is all I suppose. God Bless You and good luck. OO.

I am not married, but do have a child with a Thai.

 

I do agree with you when you say "who can blame the Thai Government for not wanting to insure aging or any foreigners." 

 

I was very surprised to know being insured for life as a foreigner is a real possibility.  

 

I hope you all manage to figure out where things went wrong.   

 

Edited April 29, 2017 by Oohwan

[BruceMangosteen]

3 minutes ago, Oohwan said:

I am not married, but do have a child with a Thai.

 

I do agree with you when you say "who can blame the Thai Government for not wanting to insure aging or any foreigners." 

 

I was very surprised to know being insured for life as a foreigner is a real possibility.  

 

I hope you all manage to figure out where things went wrong.   

 

I thought you posted as much. Doesn't matter. You also mentioned you had papers from another Thai Government office. This may have impacted your options since on some sort of unemployment benefit vs. retired/fired. God Bless You and OO.

[Sheryl]

It is not a new rule AFAIK and other foreigners are still successfully doing this throughout the country.

 

That said, these reports or problems in some locations are new in the last 6 months, which makes me wonder if there was some sort of new directive issued which some places are misinterpreting. I am trying to find out, but so far no luck.

 

The SS law makes clear its provisions are applicable regardless of nationality, and foreign nationals who work do not have the option of opting out of it, they are required to pay into it while working. There is no provision that would prevent them from being entitled to continue their enrollment on a self-pay basis if they remain legally resident in Thailand.

 

Most of the reported problems have not been being told it didn't cover foreigners but rather the foreigners being asked to show pink ID cards rather than passport being accepted, and tabian baans rather than accepting the other proofs of residence which other government agencies (Immigration, Land transport etc) all accept.

 

However in 1 or 2 places there seems to have been a blanket refusal based on being a foreigner.

 

again, these problems are (1) completely new and (2) nto occurring everywhere. Trying to get to the bottom of it and it would help very much if those who have dealt with this could advise whom they have spoken with (other than the office in question) i.e. SS call center 1506 or govt helpline 1111 and what these sources told them.

 

And if anyone has a phone number for the main SS office other than the call center number, would very, very much like to have it.

[edwardandtubs]

3 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Most of the reported problems have not been being told it didn't cover foreigners but rather the foreigners being asked to show pink ID cards rather than passport being accepted, and tabian baans rather than accepting the other proofs of residence which other government agencies (Immigration, Land transport etc) all accept.

 

The first woman I spoke I spoke to in the Area 2 office was really unhelpful and even hostile. She's the one who said it's only available to Thai people and repeated that to a Thai colleague of mine who I called for assistance. As I didn't accept her claims and wouldn't go away she passed me on to another woman who incorrectly told me to come back after 6 months had passed since the end of my employment. 

 

The Area 8 office had more of a 'mai dai' than a hostile attitude but when I pressed her on exactly what she needed she showed me a photocopy of some other farang's residence card (I assume). When I asked how I could get one of those she asked me if I owned a house but when I said I rented a condo she was back to 'mai dai'.

 

Maybe if I go to another SSO office and explain the situation they'll let me backdate my payments and accept my application. Anyone know which Bangkok area offices are currently applying the rules correctly?

Edited April 29, 2017 by edwardandtubs

[Sheryl]

Thais say "mai dai" in a wide range of circumstances, few of them actually ones where something cannot be done.

 

They say it when they don't know how to do something, or how to tell you to do it. they prefer this to admitting they don't know (loss of face) and to asking a superior (Thais will almost always not want to do that, in their minds a good employee never "bothers" their boss, plus the boss might blame them for not knowing).

 

They say it when they don't want to bother.

 

They say it when it is something they have not done before, and having not done it before they are not 100% certain of the right way and rather than risk making a mistake, it is easier to just try to get rid of you.

 

etc etc

 

Never make the mistake of taking "mai dai" literally. I often smile and say "Kitwa dia" (I think it can be done). Sometimes one just has to be very, very insistant. A cal to the government hotline and put that person (once they know the story) on the line with them may help, I had to do that to get my yellow tabian baan. Maybe insist on talking to a supervisor. Say you have talked to the head office in Bangkok already and they told you otherwise. Be polite and smile but be very firm and not easily gotten rid of. Basically you have to make it more trouble for them to keep refusing than for them to ask a superior or (god forbid!) actually look up the policy in a book.

 

BTW she was completely wrong in what she told you about a tabian baan, you DO NOT need to own a property to have one, it has nothing to do with ownership, just lists who lives at a place. However it does need the cooperation of the landlord to get., or at a minimum of a Thai person listed in the blue tabian baan to go with you and affirm that you reside their. (They prefer the landlord but I know cases where that person was unavailable and the ampur accepted someone else. They do have to see the blue tabian ban for that residence (which the landlord and anyone else listed there will have) and have the signature of landlord or other Thai resident to confirm that you reside there.

 

Plenty of renters and foreigners living in homes owned by their gfs/wifes have yellow tabian baans. It can be done. And is useful to have for many purposes, including immigration (they'll accept other proofs of residence but they really, really prefer to see a tabien ban) etc.

 

As the SS office has absolutely nothing to do with issuance of tabien baans they would be in no position to advise on this..a typical case where "mai dai" meant "I have no idea and don't want to look bad by saying so, plus I want to end this conversation and stop dealing with you".

[edwardandtubs]

When I said she gave me 'mai dai' I didn't mean she literally said those two words and I walked away. I've been in Thailand for over a decade (most of which I've been paying SSO contributions) so know very well not to take 'mai dai' and 'mai mee' literally. Obviously I tried very hard to exhaust every possibility. What I meant was, her general attitude was that although she sympathised with me, she was very clear that she was unable to give me what I wanted.

 

You said earlier:

 

Quote

The SS law makes clear its provisions are applicable regardless of nationality, and foreign nationals who work do not have the option of opting out of it, they are required to pay into it while working. There is no provision that would prevent them from being entitled to continue their enrollment on a self-pay basis if they remain legally resident in Thailand.

Do you know what this law actually is? I can hardly go back and say 'someone said on thaivisa' but if I have a specific section of a specific act or something I can quote it at them and prove that they're wrong.

Edited April 29, 2017 by edwardandtubs

[Oohwan]

1 hour ago, edwardandtubs said:

 I've been in Thailand for over a decade (most of which I've been paying SSO contributions)

 

If you failed to make any contributions for 3 months within a 12 month period you would be disqualified. 

 

How were you making these contributions before, was it through automatic debit from your bank? 

[edwardandtubs]

10 hours ago, Oohwan said:

 

If you failed to make any contributions for 3 months within a 12 month period you would be disqualified. 

 

How were you making these contributions before, was it through automatic debit from your bank? 

I think I've been clear that this wasn't the issue at all. There is ABSOLUTELY NO DOUBT that I made enough continuous contributions to qualify. Obviously the contributions came directly from my employer.

 

Edited April 30, 2017 by edwardandtubs

[edwardandtubs]

On the issue of 3 or 6 months, the Social Security Act is clear that you need to start paying within 6 months.

 

Quote

Section 39.14 Any person who is an insured person under section 33, has paid contribution for a period of not less than twelve months and, subsequently ceases to be insured person in pursuance of section 38(2), if such person wishes to continually be insured person, he or she shall, within six months from the date of his or her termination to be insured person, notify his or her statement to the Office according to the regulations prescribed by the Secretary – General.

But you'd need to look at the 'regulations prescribed by the Secretary – General' to know what the correct procedure is.

 

[Sheryl]

12 hours ago, edwardandtubs said:

 

Do you know what this law actually is? I can hardly go back and say 'someone said on thaivisa' but if I have a specific section of a specific act or something I can quote it at them and prove that they're wrong.

The SS Act is attached

 

I suggest you rather ask them to show you the directive/order which states that a foreigner cannot do this.

 

I also suggest you insist ion speaking to the head of the office and take down names and titles of all people you deal with, and state up front you will be making a formal complaint to the head office in Bangkok.

 

Just knowing that you intend to complain and are taking down names may change matters.

 

If you cannot resolve things with the SS office for your area you will need to complain to the main office. It has an Appeal Committee.  I do not have  contact information for them and I am not in Thailand now so am not able to make calls. Someone needs to spend some time calling the SSO call center 1506 and find out how to lodge a complaint/make an appeal.

 

Socialsecurityact.pdf

 

 

[Oohwan]

34 minutes ago, edwardandtubs said:

I think I've been clear that this wasn't the issue at all. There is ABSOLUTELY NO DOUBT that I made enough continuous contributions to qualify. Obviously the contributions came directly from my employer.

 

Ok so I guess the issue is someone at the SS office told you to come back after six months, when in reality they should have told you that you needed to come back within six months from the date of your termination.

 

You mentioned before you were already self insured this is what is getting me confused.

 

On 4/29/2017 at 0:54 AM, edwardandtubs said:

I had paid in for several consecutive years. This wasn't in dispute at all and was accepted by the SSO. I even paid privately once several years ago so know how easy it used to be but in December I was refused at Bangkok SSO Area 2 and in March I was refused at Area 8. As BruceMangosteen said, there seems to be a new law or rule or maybe just a diktat.

 I"m assuming you did this between jobs?   

[edwardandtubs]

5 minutes ago, Oohwan said:

Ok so I guess the issue is someone at the SS office told you to come back after six months, when in reality they should have told you that you needed to come back within six months from the date of your termination.

 

You mentioned before you were already self insured this is what is getting me confused.

 

 I"m assuming you did this between jobs?   

It's nice that you're trying to be helpful but the truth is there isn't some obvious issue that I've neglected to notice. It's nothing to do with after/within or me being self-insured several years ago.

[edwardandtubs]

41 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

The SS Act is attached

 

I suggest you rather ask them to show you the directive/order which states that a foreigner cannot do this.

 

I also suggest you insist ion speaking to the head of the office and take down names and titles of all people you deal with, and state up front you will be making a formal complaint to the head office in Bangkok.

 

Just knowing that you intend to complain and are taking down names may change matters.

 

If you cannot resolve things with the SS office for your area you will need to complain to the main office. It has an Appeal Committee.  I do not have  contact information for them and I am not in Thailand now so am not able to make calls. Someone needs to spend some time calling the SSO call center 1506 and find out how to lodge a complaint/make an appeal.

 

Socialsecurityact.pdf

 

 

I'll give those things a try. I assume that 1506 number is Thai only though. My Thai is sort of intermediate level and nowhere near good enough for a telephone conversation about complex legal issues.

Edited April 30, 2017 by edwardandtubs

[BruceMangosteen]

2 hours ago, edwardandtubs said:

I'll give those things a try. I assume that 1506 number is Thai only though. My Thai is sort of intermediate level and nowhere near good enough for a telephone conversation about complex legal issues.

I honestly don't know how you are going to make a claim on appeal indicating someone told you to wait six months. It just doesn't make logical sense they would believe you. Do you have documented proof of the denial? and/or statement to wait? 

 

I asked the agent who came back with nothing done to call the 1506 number. The result was said person answering the number said all the papers were in order and the conversion should be done. Papers were copies of everything inclusive of passport, Work Permit, Work Permit cancellation, Thai drivers license(with address in Thailand of course), copy of membership card, copies of a recent payment to SS by the employer. A second friend of mine called and was told "it's not about the yellow book" and also said it should be done. I think I've said this above some place. 

 

Sheryl's indication there is an appeal process is interesting and a new angle to pursue. The phone number for the main office is listed as the 1506 number on some web sites with an address in Northenburi, something like that, which I know is a Bangkok suburb. I'm going to get involved further and try and find about about the appeal thing Tuesday.(tomorrow is labor day, they may not be open)

 

Good luck. God Bless. OO.

[edwardandtubs]

26 minutes ago, BruceMangosteen said:

I honestly don't know how you are going to make a claim on appeal indicating someone told you to wait six months. It just doesn't make logical sense they would believe you. Do you have documented proof of the denial? and/or statement to wait? 

 

I seem to have really confused some people! Nobody told me to wait until after 6 months and nobody has refused me on the grounds that I'm too late. I was just trying to be concise but let me instead be precise. I believed that I had to apply within 3 months of the end of my employment, so I went to the SSO within 3 months and was told (by the second woman I spoke to) that it was not the case that I had to apply within 3 months. The actual period was 6 months. So she was telling me to come back WITHIN 6 months but not earlier than the start of the month on which that period expires. So I went back (to a different office) near the end of that month but was refused on the grounds that I needed a residence card. I was WITHIN the 6 months when I was refused.

 

I don't think it will be a major issue that the 6 months has now expired because the SS Act is clear that payments can be backdated.

 

Quote

The insured person under paragraph one, who does not pay contribution or cannot pay full amount of contribution within the prescribed time under paragraph three, shall pay an additional amount at the rate of two per cent per month of the unpaid contribution or of the late payment contribution starting from the day following the due date. For any fraction of the month, if it is fifteen days or more, it shall be counted as a month, if less, it shall be disregarded.

 

Edited April 30, 2017 by edwardandtubs

[TerryLH]

"I don't think it will be a major issue that the 6 months has now expired because the SS Act is clear that payments can be backdated."

 

I take the opposite view and think it will be a major issue.

Your quote is talking about ''The insured person...''

You were not insured, but applying to be insured.

But good luck.

 

  Quote

The insured person under paragraph one, who does not pay contribution or cannot pay full amount of contribution within the prescribed time under paragraph three, shall pay an additional amount at the rate of two per cent per month of the unpaid contribution or of the late payment contribution starting from the day following the due date. For any fraction of the month, if it is fifteen days or more, it shall be counted as a month, if less, it shall be disregarded.

 

 

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, edwardandtubs said:

 

 

I don't think it will be a major issue that the 6 months has now expired because the SS Act is clear that payments can be backdated.

 

 

 

Actually no - that provision applies only to people who were covered but  late in their payments or paid less than the full amount. To remain ocvered after stopping work, you have to convert  within 6 months :

 

"Section 39.14 Any person who is an insured person under section 33, has paid contribution for a period of not less than twelve months and, subsequently ceases to be insured person in pursuance of section 38(2), if such person wishes to continually be insured person, he or she shall, within six months from the date of his or her termination to be insured person, notify his or her statement to the Office according to the regulations prescribed by the Secretary – General"

 

Now you did in fact so notify within the 6 month period, but your problem will be proving this if they did not let you fill out and forms. It will be your word against theirs. Notwithstanding which I think it is worth your lodging an appeal, if nothing else it will alert the SS that this sort of thing is happening.

 

Anyone else, in future, meeting with such a refusal is strongly urged to send a  letter to the local SS Office by  EMS (with signed receipt required) stating something like this. Address it to the head of the office (have a Thai speaker call to find out who that is, or go on their website -each province SS office has one, though only in Thai).

 

"Pursuant to the Social Security Act Section 39 that gives insured persons who paid contributions for 12 months to become continually insured, I hereby notify the (location) Social Security Office that I wish to do this, having been employed with a work permit for (how long) and paid contributions for (how long) and now stopped working as of (date).

 

I went in person to your office on (date) to request this and complete the necessary forms but your staff refused to allow me to do so on (what grounds). To my understanding of the SS law this is not correct.

 

I hope your office will resolve this and process my paperwork. In case not, this letter serves as proof that I have made my request within the 6 month time period per law."

 

Then sign with your name, SS number, and telephone number and send a cc to:

 

Khun Pranin Muttaharach

Secretary General, Social Security Office, Thailand

Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare

88/28 Moo 4 Tiwanont Road Nonta-Buri Province 11000 Thailand

 

Send the cc also by EMS so that it has to be signed for.

 

There is a good chance that this alone will resolve the matter but if not, you then have proof of having made the request within the 6 months.

 

 

[edwardandtubs]

8 minutes ago, TerryLH said:

"I don't think it will be a major issue that the 6 months has now expired because the SS Act is clear that payments can be backdated."

 

I take the opposite view and think it will be a major issue.

Your quote is talking about ''The insured person...''

You were not insured, but applying to be insured.

But good luck.

 

  Quote

The insured person under paragraph one, who does not pay contribution or cannot pay full amount of contribution within the prescribed time under paragraph three, shall pay an additional amount at the rate of two per cent per month of the unpaid contribution or of the late payment contribution starting from the day following the due date. For any fraction of the month, if it is fifteen days or more, it shall be counted as a month, if less, it shall be disregarded.

 

 

If you read the Act you'll see that paragraph is exactly my situation - people who have paid in for more than a year but more than 6 months has passed since their employment ended.

 

I wasn't 'applying to be insured' I was an insured person applying to continue my insurance.

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, BruceMangosteen said:

 

I asked the agent who came back with nothing done to call the 1506 number. The result was said person answering the number said all the papers were in order and the conversion should be done. Papers were copies of everything inclusive of passport, Work Permit, Work Permit cancellation, Thai drivers license(with address in Thailand of course), copy of membership card, copies of a recent payment to SS by the employer. A second friend of mine called and was told "it's not about the yellow book" and also said it should be done. I think I've said this above some place. 

 

 

Bruce, I am confused. Why after twice being told by the central office that she would convert, is the problem not resolved? Did you (or she) not put the local officer on the line? The thing to do is to call while in the provincial office and, after being told (as you will be) that yes foreigners and eligible/no, tabian ban and ID card not required, ask them if they would please explain this to the provincial officer and hand the phone top that person.

 

 

[Sheryl]

2 minutes ago, edwardandtubs said:

If you read the Act you'll see that paragraph is exactly my situation - people who have paid in for more than a year but more than 6 months has passed since their employment ended.

 

I wasn't 'applying to be insured' I was an insured person applying to continue my insurance.

 

Sorry but no, you were not. You ceased to be an insured person when your employment ended.

 

Section 38. An insured person under section 33 shall cease to be insured person upon:
(1) death;
(2) cessation of being an employee.

 

Section 39 is not referring to the case of someone whose employment has ended who has not converted to self pay.

 

Your particular case rests on the fact that you did go to the office (twice in fact) and declare your intention to continue being insured within the 6 months required. Your problem is that you probably cannot prove this. But should try lodging an appeal anyhow. As posted above, for future reference, anyone else in this situation should be careful to create  a paper trail.

[edwardandtubs]

Just now, Sheryl said:

 

Sorry but no, you were not. You ceased to be an insured person when your employment ended.

 

Section 38. An insured person under section 33 shall cease to be insured person upon:
(1) death;
(2) cessation of being an employee.

 

Section 39 is not referring to the case of someone whose employment has ended who has not converted to self pay.

 

Your particular case rests on the fact that you did go to the office (twice in fact) and declare your intention to continue being insured within the 6 months required. Your problem is that you probably cannot prove this. But should try lodging an appeal anyhow. As posted above, for future reference, anyone else in this situation should be careful to create  a paper trail.

I can prove it because she handed me back my form with her note written on it and highlighted in yellow marker pen. I can't read Thai cursive handwriting so don't know what it says.

[BruceMangosteen]

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

 

Bruce, I am confused. Why after twice being told by the central office that she would convert, is the problem not resolved? Did you (or she) not put the local officer on the line? The thing to do is to call while in the provincial office and, after being told (as you will be) that yes foreigners and eligible/no, tabian ban and ID card not required, ask them if they would please explain this to the provincial officer and hand the phone top that person.

 

 

You make it sound and read so simple. However, on the ground in a strange place full of Thai people, few if any speak English, you'd be quite surprised. Having a representative on the hotline telling an officer in an office something isn't going to work IMHO. However, it may be worth a try. I like your idea of a formal letter. Finding an attorney to draft it is going to be another hurdle as two so far have declined to take the case on. God Bless You.

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, edwardandtubs said:

I can prove it because she handed me back my form with her note written on it and highlighted in yellow marker pen. I can't read Thai cursive handwriting so don't know what it says.

 

Does the form have a date with your signature? If so, that is a help.

 

You need to find a Thai  to translate what was written on it.

[Sheryl]

37 minutes ago, BruceMangosteen said:

You make it sound and read so simple. However, on the ground in a strange place full of Thai people, few if any speak English, you'd be quite surprised. Having a representative on the hotline telling an officer in an office something isn't going to work IMHO. However, it may be worth a try. I like your idea of a formal letter. Finding an attorney to draft it is going to be another hurdle as two so far have declined to take the case on. God Bless You.

 

Having a hotline representative talk to an officer in my experience works very well, I have done it on several occasions. Not with SS, but with other matters. It was the only way I ever managed to get a yellow tabian ban out of my ampur, for example.

 

Repeating to an officer what a Thai hotline staff told you, on the other hand, carries little weight. They need to hear it directly from another government official.  (And to be fair, they have no way of knowing that what you say they said is correct).

 

You do not need an attorney to draft the letter. Write it yourself, in English. Even if they don't bother figuring out what it says, you then have a paper trail proving you requested to convert within the time period. Which will be important if this drags on beyond the 6 month window.

 

 

[BruceMangosteen]

On 4/30/2017 at 7:34 PM, Sheryl said:

 

Having a hotline representative talk to an officer in my experience works very well, I have done it on several occasions. Not with SS, but with other matters. It was the only way I ever managed to get a yellow tabian ban out of my ampur, for example.

 

Repeating to an officer what a Thai hotline staff told you, on the other hand, carries little weight. They need to hear it directly from another government official.  (And to be fair, they have no way of knowing that what you say they said is correct).

 

You do not need an attorney to draft the letter. Write it yourself, in English. Even if they don't bother figuring out what it says, you then have a paper trail proving you requested to convert within the time period. Which will be important if this drags on beyond the 6 month window.

 

 

Folks, you can forget the hotline representatives who handle English calls helping. They are unable to grasp the situation, kept repeating other things like "bring passport" and where the office was etc.. I've agreed to accompany a friend to another office more rural? and will advise the result. God Bless Her. OO. 

[edwardandtubs]

4 minutes ago, BruceMangosteen said:

Folks, you can forget the hotline representatives who handle English calls helping. They are unable to grasp the situation, kept repeating other things like "bring passport" and where the office was etc.. I've agreed to accompany a friend to another office more rural? and will advise the result. God Bless Her. OO. 

Good luck with that. I found out that what the officer wrote on my form is 'Doesn't have land in Thailand' so I think the best thing for me to do is go to the head office.

 

I'm also wondering whether it's really worth the trouble. I hear it only insures you to a maximum of about 30,000 baht a month of medical expenses. Is that true? If so it's not much better than Axa's 3 baht a day PA insurance.

[BruceMangosteen]

5 minutes ago, edwardandtubs said:

Good luck with that. I found out that what the officer wrote on my form is 'Doesn't have land in Thailand' so I think the best thing for me to do is go to the head office.

 

I'm also wondering whether it's really worth the trouble. I hear it only insures you to a maximum of about 30,000 baht a month of medical expenses. Is that true? If so it's not much better than Axa's 3 baht a day PA insurance.

I personally don't think you have much of a chance since the six months has expired. They beat you IMHO. The situation I'm helping with, said person is well within the six months. It is worth the trouble. You are basically insuring catastrophic needs. I know of two foreigners, one had hip replacement, the other heart bypass, both fully covered. Never heard of a 30,000. Baht maximum. I have personally run into the "medically necessary" prescription drug stuff. If there is a cheaper drug they won't cover the "new" generation one. God Bless You and OO.

[BruceMangosteen]

BTW, no foreigner has "land in Thailand". Another fine example of what can happen with someone thinks he/she has power or simply doesn't like foreigners, can do. We are simply taking advantages of a benefit we've earned. If they want to change the law to exclude foreigners, go ahead. I suspect the reason they haven't is overall it's been determined as profitable to the SS system as many don't convert or claim cash benefits. They vanish and the system absorbs the contributions. God Bless You . OO.

[edwardandtubs]

5 minutes ago, BruceMangosteen said:

I personally don't think you have much of a chance since the six months has expired. 

But I have the form proving I applied within 6 months but was wrongly refused so how could they refuse an appeal?

 

The person who told me about the maximum may have been getting confused between medical expenses and compensation for lost wages. 

 

1 minute ago, BruceMangosteen said:

BTW, no foreigner has "land in Thailand". Another fine example of what can happen with someone thinks he/she has power or simply doesn't like foreigners, can do. We are simply taking advantages of a benefit we've earned. If they want to change the law to exclude foreigners, go ahead. I suspect the reason they haven't is overall it's been determined as profitable to the SS system as many don't convert or claim cash benefits. They vanish and the system absorbs the contributions. God Bless You . OO.

I paid in for 8 years and only ever received an X-ray and some rabies shots so I've contributed a lot more than I've taken out.