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Is Thai Social Security Insurance accepted for a Non-OA visa health insurance requirement?

Mar 7, 2022
4 years ago
Otto *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I recall having recently read here on FB, that the Thai Social-Security-Insurance is accepted as a valid health insurance, as is necessary for a Non-Im "O-A" visa. After all, this insurance has no limit to top it.

Can somebody confirm this or correct it, if necessary?

Thanks
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The question raised pertains to the acceptance of Thai Social Security Insurance as valid health insurance for the Non-OA visa. Comments suggest that while Thai Social Security may cover certain health insurance aspects, it is not applicable for Non-OA visa requirements, which specify a different insurance type. Specifically, Social Security covers foreigners only if they are employed legally, while Non-OA requires specific health insurance that is separate from Social Security.
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Kool *******
Thai social security health insurance only covers you as a foreigner when you are legally working and your employer pays. On an OA retirement visa/extension you are barred from working so you won't be on Thai social security insurance. Thais can keep paying for their social security after they are not working, but not a foreigner.
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Otto *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Voluntary membership in the SSO is possible for people, who left a company or stopped working. According to § 39 of the SSO Act one has to apply for voluntary extension within 3 (or 6?) months after leavng the last regular job. SSO will only stop, when one hasn't paid dues for 3 months or ones death.
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Chris ********
Kool Breez that's incorrect. I do not work anymore but still contribute and have social security. I pay less than when I was working
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Kool *******
@Chris *******
thanks for that update.
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Kool *******
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Otto *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
You are right for all others but the retirement fund aspect for foreigners.
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Paul *******
@Kool ******
false...foreigners can also pay into SS by themselves when they no longer work. We also get the retirement fund when we hit 50
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Otto *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ******
Problem with the retirement fund is, that it is a) very little and b) you can only get it as a lump sum and then ALL your social security stops, incl. the health insurance. This is valid for foreigners, who are covered after they reach 55 and don't work any more.
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Paul *******
@Otto ********
my comment was mostly based on foreigners are able to pay into SS even when they are out of work....i just added the retirement fund bit in as we are treated no differently to Thai nationals when it comes to SS etc.
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Paul *******
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Dieter *********
SS does not pay medical bills for dictors or hospital outside USA
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Garrett ***********
The social security is valid for COVID insurance, as required for the Thaipass. Non-OA is a seperate visa that requires a specific Non-OA insurance. I haven't seen anyone use SS for the Non-OA.
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Garrett ***********
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