social security

  • Thailand NewsThailand raises retirement age to 65 for all sectors

    Thailand raises retirement age to 65 for all sectors

    Thailand’s Labour Ministry is set to extend the retirement age for both private and government sectors to 65 years, aligning it with countries like Singapore and Switzerland, announced Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. Phiphat stated that the decision to increase the retirement age is influenced by significant advancements in health and medical technology, which have improved life expectancy. Additionally, the ministry plans to…

  • Thailand NewsBuriram farmer’s name wrongly listed in social security system

    Buriram farmer’s name wrongly listed in social security system

    A farmer from Buriram province discovered that his name appeared in Thailand’s social security system despite never having registered for it or working outside his family’s farm. This alarming revelation surfaced when he used the 30-baht health scheme. Panuwat Hadprakorn, a 25 year old resident of Khok Yang subdistrict in the Prakhon Chai district, Buriram province, along with his family,…

  • Thailand NewsThailand boosts benefits, extends maternity leave to 98 days

    Thailand boosts benefits, extends maternity leave to 98 days

    The Ministry of Labour announced significant improvements to benefits for Social Security Fund (SSF) members, which will kick off next year. These enhancements include an increased allowance during maternity leave and extended periods for receiving various social security benefits. Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn revealed new guidelines for managing the SSF, including a legal amendment under the Social Security Act aimed…

  • Thailand NewsLabour minister to investigate measures to save social security fund

    Labour minister to investigate measures to save social security fund

    Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn vowed to investigate measures to avert a potential collapse of the Social Security Fund (SSF) within the next decade due to funding shortfalls. The SSF, currently holding 2.6 trillion baht, is projected to grow to at least 4 trillion baht by 2034, according to the Thailand Development Research Institute and the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Despite…

  • Thailand NewsThailand’s social security fund faces bankruptcy risk in 30-40 years

    Thailand’s social security fund faces bankruptcy risk in 30-40 years

    The Labour Ministry raised the alarm that the Social Security Fund (SSF) of Thailand is on the brink of bankruptcy, and could be insolvent in 30 to 40 years if there are no changes made to its current policies. This warning was issued during a meeting between the newly established Social Security Board (SSB) headed by Sustarum Thammaboosadee, an academic…

  • Thailand NewsSocial security ministry launches measures for vulnerable groups

    Social security ministry launches measures for vulnerable groups

    The Social Development and Human Security Ministry has unveiled a series of measures aimed at enhancing the well-being of society’s most vulnerable groups. Spearheaded by Social Development and Human Security Minister Varawut Silpa-archa, these initiatives promise to usher in a new era of support for newborns, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. During a recent meeting, the ministry’s subcommittee…

  • Thailand NewsSocial security snag: NHRC accuses sso of toothless rights infringement

    Social security snag: NHRC accuses sso of toothless rights infringement

    The Social Security Office (SSO) is being accused by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of infringing human rights, by enforcing a yearly cap of 900 baht (US$25) on dental treatment expenses. The complaint was instigated in January 2023 by an insured individual leading to an inspection by the NHRC. The individual pointed out that the 900 baht limit is…

  • Thailand NewsMinistry to protect Thai elderly from potential scammers

    Ministry to protect Thai elderly from potential scammers

    The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security revealed that more than 13 million of the elderly population in Thailand, constituting 20% of the total population, are susceptible to online scams. The ministry, led by Varawut Silpa-archa, is set to arm the elderly with digital literacy skills through an unprecedented nationwide campaign. Varawut raised a red flag, noting that the…

  • Thailand NewsUpdate: Progressive social security triumphs in historic election

    Update: Progressive social security triumphs in historic election

    In a groundbreaking victory, the Progressive Social Security group clinched triumph in the nation’s inaugural Social Security Board (SSB) election on December 24, as the final vote count approached completion. The election, a pivotal moment in shaping the future of social security, saw the selection of 14 new board members by members of the Social Security Fund (SSF). Half of…

  • Thailand NewsThailand’s social security fund prepares for inaugural board election

    Thailand’s social security fund prepares for inaugural board election

    The Social Security Fund (SSF) in Thailand is preparing for its inaugural board member election, with over 800,000 members expected to participate in the vote tomorrow, December 24. This was disclosed by Boonsong Thapchaiyuth, the secretary-general of the Social Security Office (SSO), who also noted that the turnout figure is rather modest compared to the total SSF membership of 12…

  • Central Thailand NewsSocial Security Board candidates call for higher pension rates

    Social Security Board candidates call for higher pension rates

    A majority of the candidates in the race for the new Social Security Board have underscored the need to increase pension rates for retirees within the social security system. They also drew attention to the crucial requirement of enhancing transparency and efficiency in managing the Social Security Fund (SSF). The election, slated for December 24, will see over 800,000 registered…

  • Thailand NewsFinal call for Social Security Fund members to register for inaugural election

    Final call for Social Security Fund members to register for inaugural election

    The Labour Ministry has made a final call to Social Security Fund (SSF) members to register for the inaugural election of Social Security Board members, with today marking the end of the registration period. Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn explained the extension of the registration period, which was originally set to end on October 31, was granted to provide members with…

  • Thailand NewsOxfam calls for workers in Thailand’s fishing industry to be given monthly wage

    Oxfam calls for workers in Thailand’s fishing industry to be given monthly wage

    Employers in Thailand’s fishing industry are being urged to provide their workers with a monthly wage to improve their quality of life. The Bangkok Post reports that Oxfam in Thailand is calling on companies in the fishing sector to provide more help for their employees during the pandemic. Chakchai Comthongdee from Oxfam says most workers only receive a daily wage,…

  • Tourism NewsKoh Samet to close from today for at least 2 weeks, Koh Chang may follow

    Koh Samet to close from today for at least 2 weeks, Koh Chang may follow

    The island of Koh Samet, in Thailand’s eastern Rayong province, is closing to visitors and non-residents for at least 14 days to help stop the spread of Covid-19. The province saw 21 new infections yesterday, with at least 1 being linked to Koh Samet. The shuttering is effective as of today with another popular island, Koh Chang, also possibly following…

  • Covid-19 NewsAt-risk Social Security members can get free Covid tests from tomorrow in Bangkok

    At-risk Social Security members can get free Covid tests from tomorrow in Bangkok

    At-risk members of Thailand’s Social Security scheme can get free Covid-19 tests in Bangkok starting tomorrow. The Ministry of Labour will provide the tests, covering members under Sections 33, 39, and 40 of the Social Security Act. The programme will be held at the Bangkok Youth Centre (Thai-Japan) in Bangkok’s Din Daeng district. The ministry expects to test up to…

  • Covid-19 NewsPM approves new financial aid package for social security recipients

    PM approves new financial aid package for social security recipients

    The Thai PM, Prayut Chan-o-cha, has given the go-ahead to another stimulus measure, this time aimed at social security beneficiaries. The scheme, known as Rao Rak Kan (“We Love Each Other”) will provide recipients with a cash payment via the Pao Tang application. All social security beneficiaries are eligible, provided they are Thai nationals and do not have more than…

  • Covid-19 NewsPattaya hotels take food to the streets in bid to survive

    Pattaya hotels take food to the streets in bid to survive

    Pattaya’s hotels are taking their restaurants to the streets by offering food stalls outside and delivery in a bid to save their businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic. Such changes in their attempts to avoid closing, come as city officials say they will use funds to spruce up the city for Chinese New Years on February 12. As Chonburi province is…

  • Covid-19 NewsThai PM pledges financial assistance for workers affected by Covid-19 restrictions

    Thai PM pledges financial assistance for workers affected by Covid-19 restrictions

    “We’ll find the money.” This is the promise from PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, who’s instructing the Ministry of Finance and other relevant agencies to come up with measures to help workers who have been affected by the Covid-19 resurgence. The PM has pledged economic assistance for those who have lost their jobs, are currently being furloughed, or whose businesses have had…

  • Politics NewsPhuket’s Sri Panwa Resort’s land title deed to be investigated for legality by DSI

    Phuket’s Sri Panwa Resort’s land title deed to be investigated for legality by DSI

    Back in the news again. Phuket’s Sri Panwa Resort’s land title deed is now to be investigated by the Department of Special Investigation after a petition was filed to determine whether the deed was procured legally. Veera Somkwamkid, the secretary-general of the People’s Network Against Corruption, filed the petition along with 167 pages of documents pertaining to his accusations that…

  • Covid-19 NewsLoophole closed – more unemployed to receive payments from Thai government

    Loophole closed – more unemployed to receive payments from Thai government

    The loophole for employees whose businesses were not ordered to close, but are still affected by Covid 19 pandemic, has finally been addressed. The Thai Ministry of Labor secretary Sutthi Sukosol says that compensation will be similar to what employees whose businesses were ordered to close are paid, which is 62% of daily wage based on a maximum monthly salary…

  • Covid-19 NewsCabinet approves ‘force majeure’ closure of hotels

    Cabinet approves ‘force majeure’ closure of hotels

    The Cabinet has approved the ‘force majeure’ closure of hotels and any lodging businesses, with additional compensation for businesses that are under the social security scheme. There will now be compensation for employees of hotel and lodging businesses for their loss of income, either due to the government’s shutdown order or their owner’s decision to close down during the current…

  • Covid-19 NewsCash handouts to Thais being proposed

    Cash handouts to Thais being proposed

    “Those Thais with social security will be taken care of by the Social Security Office, while those who are not insured under the social security scheme will be taken care of by the Ministry of Finance. We are planning to use an emergency budget from fiscal 2020 of around 20 billion baht to provide cash handouts to people affected by…