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Thailand offers an exciting opportunity for freelancers, independent contractors, and digital entrepreneurs looking to live and work in a dynamic environment. Through ThaiPivot, eligible professionals can obtain a Thai Business Visa (Non-Immigrant B), a digital work permit, and a Thai Social Security Card for one year, renewable annually.
The Benefits of Social Security Insurance in Thailand
As a digital professional in Thailand, safeguarding your health is crucial. Medical emergencies or routine care can become a financial burden without proper insurance. Let’s explore why Thailand's Social Security system is an excellent option for long-term residents working in the country.
Your Healthcare Options in Thailand
Private Insurance
Private insurance is a common choice, especially for short-term stays or travelers covering accidents and emergencies. Many visitors purchase plans from their home country before arriving. In recent years, private health insurance has also become a prerequisite for entry into Thailand, though it’s unclear how long this requirement will last.
While private insurance is comprehensive, it can be expensive if you plan to live and work in Thailand long-term. This is where Thailand’s Social Security program offers a cost-effective and reliable alternative.
Social Security Through Employment
When employed by a Thai company, you gain access to Thailand’s Social Security system. This enrollment provides you with a Social Security card which covers a wide range of healthcare services, including regular doctor visits, illness management, and preventive care.
Overview of Thailand's Social Security
Enrolling in the Social Security program is automatic for employees of registered Thai companies. Once enrolled, you’ll receive a Social Security card, which grants access to comprehensive healthcare at an assigned hospital.
For example, ThaiPivot employees in Chiang Mai are typically assigned to Lanna Hospital, a reputable (and newly renovated) healthcare facility near the city center. This hospital becomes your primary care provider, offering most treatments and services under Social Security.
Using Your Assigned Hospital
While you are assigned a specific hospital, you can seek care elsewhere if necessary. For treatments outside your assigned hospital, you’ll pay out of pocket first and apply for reimbursement later—standard practice for Thai nationals and expats alike.
When visiting your assigned hospital:
- Present your Social Security card and passport for check-in.
- You’ll see a general practitioner who can provide treatment, prescribe medications, or refer you to a specialist.
- Most services, including X-rays, MRIs, and prescriptions, are covered.
What’s Covered Under Social Security
1
Medical Services
- Consultations with general practitioners and specialists
- Diagnostic tests, including X-rays and MRIs
- Prescriptions and treatments
2
Preventative Care
- Routine check-ups and illness prevention
3
Sickness Cash Benefits
- If you need extended sick leave (beyond the 30 days covered by your employer), Social Security provides a cash benefit equal to 50% of your salary for up to 90 days per incident or 180 days per year. For chronic illnesses, this can extend up to 365 days.
4
Limited Dental Coverage
- Annual dental benefits of 900 THB cover basic services like cleaning and check-ups. Additional dental treatments require out-of-pocket payment.
The Pros and Cons of Thailand's Social Security
Pros
Contributions are already deducted from your salary, so there’s no extra cost.
Most treatments, including prescriptions and diagnostics, are free at your assigned hospital.
Offers financial support during extended illness.
Simply provide your Social Security number or card.
Cons
You must use your designated hospital for full coverage.
Long wait times can occur during peak hours.
The annual 900 THB benefit may not cover more extensive dental needs.
A Real Experience at a Thai Hospital
Visiting a hospital with Social Security is straightforward. For instance, at Lanna Hospital, the process typically includes: Checking in with your Social Security card and passport. Visiting the Social Security ward for an initial consultation. Receiving further diagnostics or specialist care, as needed. Collecting prescriptions, all without paying out of pocket. During a recent visit for an X-ray, the entire process—check-in, diagnostics, specialist consultation, and prescriptions—took under two hours. The efficient system ensures quality care while minimizing costs.
Frequently asked questions
Do dependents receive social security benefits?
Dependents need work permits to receive social security benefits.
Is Social Security Enough for You?
For most expats working in Thailand, Social Security provides sufficient healthcare coverage. However, if you require additional services, private insurance can complement Social Security benefits, particularly for specialized treatments or extended dental care.
By working with a reputable EOR like ThaiPivot, you gain legal employment benefits and access to Thailand’s Social Security program, ensuring peace of mind for your healthcare needs.
What’s Covered (And What’s Not)
14 Illnesses NOT covered by Social Security
- Diseases or illness from drug usage (according to drug laws)
- Diseases or illness that require staying in a hospital for more than 180 days in a year
- Kidney diseases therapy except the last stage of chronic kidney disease; the insured person shall be eligible for medical services by hemodialysis that uses the peritoneal dialysis, permanent chemical solution and kidney transplant methods.
- Any beauty treatment without doctor order
- Treatment which is still under research development
- Treatment of infertility condition
- Tissue examination for organ surgery (except tissue examination for bone marrow transplantation of the insured person, the Social Security will reimburse for cost incurred but not exceeding 7,000 THB per case according to the rules and conditions prescribed by the medical committee)
- Any extra examination/treatment that is more than necessary
- Organ surgery (except the bone marrow transplant)
- The cornea transplant surgery – the Social Security will pay the medical service fee as capital payment at the rate of 20,000 baht to the certified hospital and 5,000 to the Thai Red Cross Eye Bank in accordance with the rules and conditions.
- Gender reassignment surgery
- Artificial insemination
- Dental services (except fillings, scale and polish and tooth/wisdom tooth removal); the insured person is entitled to receive medical fees as actually incurred as necessary but not exceeding 900 baht per year. In case of wearing removable dentures or false teeth, the insured person is entitled to receive medical service fees as actually incurred as necessary but not exceeding 1,500 baht within a five-year period.
- Glasses/lenses
Maternity
- You must pay contributions to the SSO for not less than 5 months within 15 months before the due month
- Able to claim for childbirth costs of 13,000 baht per one time (unlimited time)
- Maternity allowance paid by SSO
- Employees receive 50% of wages for 90 days of leave (applied only with the 1st and 2nd child)
- Maternity allowance paid by employer
- Employees are entitled to 90 or 98 days maternity leave including leave for antenatal appointments.
- Employees receive 50% of wages for 45 days of leave. If employees take leave for 98 days, employers may decide whether or not to pay for the additional 8 days which, however, depends on the agreement between both parties.
- In the event that the husband and wife are both insured, rights can be exercised only by one party.
- Antenatal care; the insured person with gestational age 1 to 2 weeks can receive an allowance of 500 baht, gestational age more than 12 weeks but not more than 20 weeks can receive an allowance of 300 baht and gestational age more than 20 weeks but not more than 28 weeks can receive an allowance of 200 baht. Note that insurers must pay in advance and bring receipts with them to reimburse at the Social Security Office all over the country.
Invalidity
- You must pay contributions to the SSO for not less than 3 months
- The monthly compensation shall be paid at the rate of 50% of wage for the rest of the insured’s life for severe disability causing the loss of income. If the disability is not too severe, the insured shall receive the compensation according to the disability criteria and period of such disability.
- If admitted to a public hospital, medical expenses will be covered by the SSO as much as actually incurred as necessary.
- If admitted to a private hospital, for outpatient care, the SSO will compensate no more than 2,000 baht per month, for inpatient care, no more than 4,000 baht per month, for cars and service fees, 500 baht per month.
- The insured person receiving invalidity benefits can establish a claim to old age benefits, where appropriate.
Death
- You must pay contributions for not less than 1 month within 6 months before death
- The funeral director can request a funeral grant of 40,000 baht.
- If the insured person having made contributions for 3 years onwards but less than 10 years shall be entitled to assistance benefits equal to 2 months of the average wages.
- If the insured person having made contributions for 10 years onwards shall be entitled to assistance benefit equal to 6 months of the average wages.
Child Allowance
- You must pay contributions for not less than 12 months.
- The insured shall receive a monthly child allowance of 600 baht per one legitimate child until their child turns six (6)
- No more than 3 children per one household
Annual Health Check-up
- Ear examination (Finger Rub Test); over 15 years old; once a year
- Breast examination; 30-39 years old; every 3 years
- Breast examination; 40-54 years old; once a year
- Breast examination; 55 years old and above; as needed
- Eye examination; 40-54 years old; single time
- Eye examination; 55 years old and above; once every 1 to 2 years
- Visual acuity testing (Snellen Art Chart); 55 years old and above; once a year
- Complete blood count (CBC); 18-54 years old; single time
- Complete blood count (CBC); 55-70 years old; once a year
- Urinalysis urine test (UA); 55 years and above; once a year
- Fasting blood sugar test (FBS); 35-54 years old; every 3 years
- Fasting blood sugar test (FBS); 55 years old and above; once a year
- Creatinine blood test (CR); 55 years old and above; once a year
- Cholesterol test (Total and HDL Cholesterol); over 20 years old; every 3 years
- Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg); those born before 1992, single time
- Cervical cancer screening (Pap Smear Test); 30-54 years old; every 3 years
- Cervical cancer screening (Pap Smear Test); 55 years old and above; as needed
- Cervical cancer screening (VIA: visual inspection with acetic acid); 30-54 years old; every 5 years
- Cervical cancer screening (VIA: visual inspection with acetic acid); 55 years old and above; Pap Smear Test recommended
- Fecal occult blood test (FOBT); 50 years old and above; once a year
- Chest X-ray; over 15 years old; single time
What is an Employer of Record (EOR)?
An EOR helps with business relocation by managing employment, immigration, payroll, and more.
What’s included and what’s not?
The service covers visa application, work permit, and back-office services. Extra fees apply for visa runs and re-entry permits.
What kind of benefits do I receive through ThaiPivot?
ThaiPivot enrollees get access to Thailand’s social security and health insurance.
How do taxes work in Thailand?
Tax residents are taxed on income earned or remitted to Thailand.
Do you have more questions?