Social security for foreigners and healthcare entitlements

No. The criteria BOI publishes at ltr.boi.go.th allow a health policy with cover of not less than USD 50,000 valid for your stay in Thailand, or proof of Thai social security entitlement covering treatment in Thailand, or a deposit in the amount the criteria specify. A foreign policy is acceptable if it states clearly that treatment inside Thailand is covered and comes with a Thai or English translation.

A foreign employee working lawfully for an employer within the scheme must be registered as an insured person under section 33 just like a Thai employee. The employer must register the employee within the statutory period and remit contributions. Insured persons receive the statutory benefits — sickness, maternity, invalidity, death, child allowance, old age and unemployment. See sso.go.th for details.

You may apply as a voluntary insured person under section 39 if you were previously insured under section 33 and paid the required contributions. The application must be filed within the statutory period after your insured status ends and contributions must continue; missing contributions beyond the stated threshold terminates the status. Apply at a provincial Social Security Office or through sso.go.th.

Not entirely. Social security ties you to the hospital named on your entitlement card and to its referral rules, whereas private cover offers wider hospital choice and room benefits by plan. Many people run both. Note that some visa criteria accept proof of Thai social security covering treatment in Thailand in place of a policy, so read the criteria for your visa case by case.

The Social Security Office opens a window each year for insured persons to select or change their contracted hospital, and also allows changes for good cause such as moving home or workplace. File the selection form at a provincial Social Security Office or online via sso.go.th. In an emergency you may attend the nearest facility under the applicable rules.

Foreign employees working lawfully for a registered employer must be enrolled under section 33 on the same basis as Thai employees. The employer registers them within the statutory period and remits contributions jointly with the employee. Benefits cover sickness, maternity, invalidity, death, child allowance, unemployment and old age. After leaving employment, a person who has contributed as required may continue voluntarily under section 39 within six months. Self-employed people may join under section 40 in the benefit package they select.

An insured person who has ceased insured status and meets the statutory conditions may claim old-age benefits by filing the benefit application with a passport copy, evidence that insured status ended, and bank account details. Those who have already left Thailand usually appoint a representative in Thailand, and a power of attorney signed abroad must go through signature certification and legalisation before it can be used.

Section 33 insured employees can support some applications with a certificate from the Social Security Office, but retirement-category applications and any category with a statutory minimum limit still need a qualifying policy. Confirm with the office where you file, because local practice differs.