What can my friend do about her employer's failure to register her for social security while pregnant in Thailand?

There are teaching in Thailand groups on FB that will give you good advice

Usually registered people get a small card to show doctors and hospital

I would ask the school to cover the cost of the hospital for the birth and register her for SSO. This avoids reporting them to labour office (better for continuing employment). If they refuse, then you have no option but to go to the labour office.

Might be better to talk to a Thai employment lawyer rather than facebook.

Things like that don’t happen in reality here. There is nothing you can do. Think of it as lip service.

If she has a work permit, she must be registered on SS and itmeans she must be deducted a contribution from her salary each month. If the school deducted and not pay this to SSO, she can report to SS office. I would recommend that she contact Labour Protection which is at the ground level of Ministry of Labour bulding and they will move things quick for her.

It is strictly about visa as SSO list is very important for work visa. Get help from SSO

Should have closed her legs and this would happen

She will need to pay the social security tax for the entire time she was employed. She will also need to pay income tax as well for the entire time. She will have medical coverage until 6 months after termination of employment.

Seriously, if you are a foreigner depending on Thai social security then you have issues. That's pocket change and her first priority is to move back to her own country. Having a baby in Thailand has many disadvantages compared to the west.

I was in the same situation and I consulted a lawyer. What the school doing is is illegal. She can complain to the ministry of education and social security but I doubt she’d get any money, it’s more likely she’d get fired instead.

Give it a rest mate …..

Hope she wasn’t teaching sex ed !!!

Yes it is against the law, but it's never been enforced, and no public schools ever had any consequences for violating this law.

My university stopped paying my social security contribution for 2 years without informing me. I went to the social security office and they called the head of department and head of finance to an urgent meeting. The university was orderedto back pay my ss and we're fined. I stayed on for another 10 years without problems.

So, my advice is go to the social security office and talk to them. They are very helpful.

Is the Father an Indian man ?

Or Russian ?

That will determine the correct course of action

Thailand’s Social Security Scheme is a mandatory social insurance program managed by the Social Security Office (SSO). It covers eligible employees through shared contributions (5% each from employer and employee). As of 2026, the maximum monthly wage ceiling is THB 17,500, making the maximum monthly employee deduction THB 875 .The scheme provides comprehensive protection , including:Medical & Dental: Free care at your designated hospital, plus dental coverage (e.g., THB 900/time/year) .Maternity Support: Lump-sum payment of THB 15,000 per birth, plus 50% of your salary for 90 days of maternity leave.Old-Age Pension: Monthly payouts starting at age 55, provided contributions have been made for at least 180 months.

I hope it helps in some ways. But this lady needs to tread on this issue very cautiously. Good luck.

It depends on what type of school she works for. If she’s employed by a public (government) school, she may not be covered by the Social Security system at all, as government employees are generally covered under different benefit schemes.

If she works for a private school, teachers are also often covered by the Private School Teachers’ Welfare Fund rather than Social Security.

Before assuming the school has done something wrong, she should first establish exactly what her employment status is and what benefits scheme she is enrolled in. If she’s unsure, she can contact the relevant government office to verify her entitlements, especially regarding maternity benefits.

Would she not have to pay back the 5% over the time she has worked

How much does a pregnant woman get from ss per month

Yes, under Thai law, most employers (including public schools for contract foreign teachers) are required to register employees for Social Security Office (SSO) coverage.4

Key Legal Requirements

• Employer obligations: Any employer with one or more employees (Thai or foreign, with a valid work permit) must register with the SSO within 30 days of hiring and register the employee as an insured person. Both employer and employee contribute ~5% of salary (capped, currently around ฿750 each per month for typical salaries).4

• Foreign workers: Those on Non-B visas with work permits are generally subject to the same rules and entitled to the same benefits (healthcare, maternity, etc.).8

• Public/government schools: These are government entities, and there can be nuances (e.g., exemptions for certain civil servants or private school teachers under the Social Security Act). However, foreign contract teachers in public schools are typically treated as employees requiring SSO registration, similar to private sector cases. Many reports indicate public schools should handle this, though some reportedly don’t due to administrative practices or cost-saving.32

The employer’s denial is likely incorrect or based on a misunderstanding/misapplication of rules for government staff vs. contracted foreigners. Failure to register can result in fines (up to ฿20,000), late payment penalties (2% per month), and even imprisonment (up to 6 months).18

Pregnancy/Maternity Relevance

SSO provides important maternity benefits (cash allowance, medical coverage) if she’s been contributing for the required period (typically at least 5 months in the 15 months before birth). Without registration, she misses out on these, plus potential gaps in healthcare coverage. Thai labor law also protects pregnant employees from dismissal and provides maternity leave (recently expanded to 120 days in some updates, with employer paying part and SSO covering benefits).41

What She Should Do (Practical Steps)

1 Gather evidence: Contract, payslips (check if any SSO deductions were made), work permit, visa docs, and any communication with the employer about this.

2 Confront the school formally: Send a polite written request (email/letter) citing the Social Security Act, asking for immediate registration and back contributions. Reference that it’s mandatory for her work permit compliance.

3 File a complaint:

◦ Contact the Social Security Office directly (local branch or main office in Bangkok; they have English support in some places). Employees can complain, and SSO can investigate, force registration, and issue certificates.37

◦ Ministry of Labour (Department of Employment or Labour Protection) — they handle employer violations.

◦ If needed, a labor lawyer or union/teacher support group for foreigners.

4 Self-registration option: In some cases, she may register/pay the full amount herself (both shares), but the employer remains liable. Better to push them first.

5 Visa/Work Permit implications: Proper SSO helps maintain legal status. Non-compliance could complicate extensions.

6 Additional support: Consult expat teacher forums (e.g., on Facebook groups for ESL teachers in Thailand), a reputable immigration/labor advisor, or services like Thailand Expat Services.

Strongly recommend professional advice tailored to her province/school specifics, as public institutions can have bureaucratic quirks. Delaying risks losing maternity benefits. Many foreign teachers successfully get this sorted by escalating to authorities. Good luck — hope it resolves quickly for her and the baby!

She should do nothing if she wishes to stay employed, or move to a school that does!

What country

Yup.. They should be on social Security.. My school got reprimanded about 8 years ago because they weren't on it.. Many schools believe that if they offer private medical insurance they don't need SS. But that is wrong.. Some schools offer both.. But SS is compulsory for all workers!

Yep, that’s illegal.

Wish I could help more than that. Probably if she makes a stink she will just be fired and if that happens, forced to leave the country within 24 hours.

Then all the legal stuff, if any, happen after that.

Sorry if that isn’t helpful.

A Lawyer should know.