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Outpatient medical compensation has been quadrupled, while disability income support has been raised significantly, following recent amendments to Thailand’s Social Security Section 40 scheme.
More than 500,000 self-employed workers in Thailand are now receiving improved social security benefits after the Ministry of Labour rolled out enhancements to the Social Security Section 40 scheme, aimed at keeping pace with current economic and social conditions.
Announcing the outcome of the reforms, Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, said amendments to the Royal Decree governing Section 40 benefits, which came into effect in October 2025, have resulted in immediate improvements for over 505,000 insured persons. The changes are intended to better support informal and self-employed workers without raising their monthly contributions.
A refresher on Section 40 coverage
Thailand’s Social Security Section 40 currently offers three contribution options for self-employed workers. Option one requires a monthly contribution of THB70 and provides coverage for illness, disability and death. Option two, at THB100 per month, includes the same benefits with the addition of a lump-sum old-age gratuity. Option three, which costs THB300t per month, offers broader protection, including an old-age pension and child allowance.
According to the Ministry of Labour, the latest reforms focus on expanding benefits across all three options, while keeping contribution rates unchanged.
Higher outpatient medical compensation
One of the most notable changes is the increase in compensation related to outpatient medical visits. Payments for travel to and from medical appointments or outpatient treatment have risen from THB50 per visit to 200 Baht per visit, applicable up to three times per year across all options.
At the same time, the minimum medically certified rest period for outpatient cases has been reduced from three days to at least one day. Eligible rest periods now extend up to 30 days per year for options one and two, and up to 90 days per year for option three, offering greater flexibility for workers recovering from illness or injury.
Improved income support for disability cases
The reforms also bring significant changes to income compensation for disability. For insured persons under options one and two, monthly compensation has been increased from a previous range of THB500 to THB1,000 for up to 15 years, to THB1,000 to THB2,000 per month for life.
For those under option three, disability income support has risen from THB500 to 1,000 per month for life, to between THB1,500 and 3,000 per month for life, providing longer-term financial stability for affected workers.
Expanded child allowance and revised death benefits
Additional improvements have been made to the child allowance under option three. The monthly payment has increased from THB200 to THB300 per child, with the eligible age extended from six to seven years. Coverage remains capped at a maximum of two children.
Provisions for benefit payments in the event of an insured person’s death have also been updated. If an insured person passes away before the age of 60 or before receiving old-age benefits, a lump-sum payment will now be made to a designated beneficiary. Where no designation exists, the benefit will be shared equally among the spouse, parents or children.
Funeral expenses under options one and two have increased from THB20,000 Baht to THB25,000 Baht. Death grants for insured persons who have contributed for at least 60 months have also risen, from THB3,000 to THB8,000.
Encouraging informal workers to seek protection
Minister Trinuch said the expanded benefits are designed not only to improve quality of life for self-employed workers, but also to encourage more informal workers to enter the social security system.
“Social security is not merely health insurance; it is a guarantee of stability in life,” she concluded.
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