Thread: Thai Social Security Fund For Teachers in Thailand

Hi all,

After reading about that English teacher who died recently, I decided to look into the area of Social Security for foreigners here in Thailand.

I was absolutely amazed to discover that we are entitled to Social Security Benefits just as Thai folk are! Some of you probably knew this already but I'd bet lots don't.

I've been working in Thailand for nearly 6 years, most recently at a government school for one year already and I'm just about to start my second year. To my knowledge, my school never included me in the Social Security Fund. From what I gather so far, this is illegal. "A notice to register the insured with the Zone Office of Social Security must be given within 30 days with effect from the date on which the employee is engaged as an employee or otherwise it is an offense punishable by not more than 6 months imprisonment or a penalty fine of not more than 20,000 Baht or both."

Any employer with at least one employee, irrespective of nationality, is obliged to subscribe to the system. Employees must pay a certain % of monthly salary (5% but capped at 750THB - may need to be confirmed by someone). Employers must pay the same amount as the employee. The government chip in a further 2.75%.

These contributions go towards providing a wide range of benefits similar to our own countries.
Benefits available include:

• Sickness and injury benefit
• Maternity benefit
• Invalidity benefit
• In the event of death
• Invalidity benefit
• Old-age benefit
• Unemployment benefit

Apparently your employer must register you within 30 days of commencing employment. You should receive a Social Security Card and a Medical Card after registering.

In my case, I'm off to the local Social Security Office today to find out what the hell my school has been doing or not doing for the past year and for the coming year. If needs be, I will ask somebody in a position of authority in the SSO to contact my school and explain the situation to them. My contract started on 1 April so the 30 day period to register is nearly up. It's an absolute disgrace that the biggest school in the province is either consciously choosing not to include the farang teachers or is just completely ignorant of their duties and responsibilities as employers. Again!

Here are some links to what I've read so far. Some may have more up to date info than others but the basics are the same. Hope you find this useful. Make sure you get what you are entitled to, unlike that poor guy from England. R.I.P.

SocThe Organization Structure of The Social Security Officer

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FAQ about Social Security in Thailand

Thai Social Security - Insurance in Thailand - Thailand Forum

Thailand - Social Security and Welfare | ExpatFocus.com

Thanks for your extensive report.

I've reported on this topic in February 2011.

Social Security and Workmen's Compensation Fund for teachers in Thailand

Must have missed that. Thanks, Stamp. No harm in bringing it to everyone's attention again. I'm quite ashamed that I only discovered this today but I'm determined to get my school to sign me up asap.

Originally Posted by magnumforce

No harm in bringing it to everyone's attention again.

Definitely not. I made it an article on Thailand Teaching's Home Page. Thanks again.

Originally Posted by magnumforce

I'm quite ashamed that I only discovered this today but I'm determined to get my school to sign me up asap.

It's law.

Since 2010 our provincial Labour Office wants a copy of the applicant's membership of the Social Security fund when applying for a work permit renewal (WP.5).

Originally Posted by magnumforce

No harm in bringing it to everyone's attention again

Yes, I bet lots of teachers here are unaware. Good poat mf

Originally Posted by tiredtony

Yes, I bet lots of teachers here are unaware. Good poat mf

Please note.

Section 4. This Act shall not apply to
(1)3 public officials, permanent employees, daily temporary employees and hourly temporary employees of Central Administration, Provincial Administration and Local Administration but excluding monthly temporary employees;
(2) Employees of foreign government or international organizations;
(3) employees of employers who have offices in the country and being stationed abroad;
(4) teachers or headmasters of private schools under the law on private school;
(5) students, nurse students, undergraduates or interning physicians who are employees of schools, universities or hospitals;
(6) other activities or employees as may be prescribed in the Royal Decree.

you must be under 60 years of age.

Originally Posted by Stamp

Please note.

So from that point 4 Stamp "Private schools" .... does this mean they are exempt from the laws concerning SSF ? And, if so, is it still an option for private school teachers if they wish to join SSF ?

I ask as I have never been included in this scheme at my private school, nor have any other foreign teachers here either since they began having a foreign teacher staff from 2003 onwards.

Thanks for your help on this Stamp and thanks to Magnum too for the original post

GBG

Originally Posted by Gor Blimey Guvnur!

So from that point 4 Stamp "Private schools" .... does this mean they are exempt from the laws concerning SSF ?

Yes.

Originally Posted by Gor Blimey Guvnur!

And, if so, is it still an option for private school teachers if they wish to join SSF ?

AFAIK, schools can voluntarily join the Social Security Fund but it has to be collective.

What you often see is that schools might have contracts with other insurance companies such as BUPA, AIA and others.

Originally Posted by Stamp

AFAIK, schools can voluntarily join the Social Security Fund but it has to be collective. What you often see is that schools might have contracts with other insurance companies such as BUPA, AIA and others.

Thanks for the swift reply Stamp and that's nice to know .... probably the 'collective' part would be the stumbling block at my school though.

Cheers for that GBG