Thai Social Security - Attori Law

Thai Social Security Get Clarity

Companies are required to register new employees onto social security within 30 days of hiring them. Social security is not only a requirement for Thai staff but also for foreigners employees legally with a work permit. It is the responsibility of the company to make social security payments on behalf of their employees by deducting 5% of total salary capped at 17500 baht per month. The company must also pay 5% too.

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Calculate Your Thai Social Security Payments

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Employer (5%) —
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WHAT IT COVERS

Thai Social Security Benefits

Injury and Sickness Benefits

  • Outpatient and inpatient
  • Compensation benefits during sickness
  • Disability benefits

Maternity Benefits

  • 120 days total leave (2025 reform)
  • First 60 days paid in full by the employer
  • Next 60 days at 50% wage via Social Security

Death Payouts

  • Payouts to family members at death
  • Support for funeral payments

Retirement Benefits

  • Pension benefits or lump sum payouts
  • Survivor benefits for relatives of the deceased

Child Benefits

  • Child allowances
  • Educational support
  • Child healthcare

Unemployment Benefits

  • Benefits for jobseekers
  • Support for those out of work

HIGHLY EXPERIENCED

Thai Social Security Services

1

Employer and Employee SSO Registration

We handle registration for both your company and each new employee, meeting the 30-day enrollment deadline every time.

2

Monthly Contribution Filing

We calculate and submit your monthly contributions by the 15th deadline, using the current wage ceiling so you're never under- or over-contributing.

3

Payroll Compliance Review

We review your existing payroll setup to catch outdated figures or missed updates before they become a compliance issue.

4

Foreign Employee Registration Support

We coordinate the work permit and SSO registration sequence for foreign hires, so nothing gets held up waiting on the wrong document.

5

Termination and Change Reporting

We handle the required SSO notifications when an employee leaves, keeping you within the reporting deadline.

6

Benefits Claims Guidance

We help employees understand what they're eligible for and confirm the contribution history needed to support a claim.

BENEFITS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Employee and Employer

For Employers

What your business is responsible for.

  • Register the company and every new employee with the SSO within 30 days of hiring
  • Contribute 5% of wages, matching the employee's share, up to the current wage ceiling
  • Withhold, calculate, and remit both shares to the SSO by the 15th of the following month
  • Report new hires and terminations to keep employee records current
  • Keep accurate payroll records tied to contributions, since these determine what employees can claim

For Employees

What you're entitled to, and what to keep in mind.

  • 5% of your wages is automatically withheld each month, matched by your employer up to 875 baht per month
  • Covers sickness, maternity, death, retirement, child, and unemployment benefits
  • Most benefits require a minimum contribution history before you can claim, often 3–5 months within the last 15
  • Your contribution record carries over if you change jobs, as long as you stay registered
  • Claims go through the SSO, they aren't automatic just because you're contributing

Social Security Application Process For Companies

  1. Register the company with the SSO

    Submit Form SSO 1-01, along with your business registration certificate and tax ID, within 30 days of hiring your first employee.

  2. Register each employee

    Submit Form SSO 1-03 for every new hire within 30 days of their start date, with an ID or passport copy, and a work permit for foreign employees.

  3. Receive registration numbers and cards

    Once approved, the SSO issues registration numbers and social security cards for each employee.

  4. Calculate monthly contributions

    5% from the employee's wage, matched by the employer, up to the current wage ceiling.

  5. Submit payments and reports by the 15th

    Contributions and monthly reports are due by the 15th of the following month, through the SSO office, online, or via participating banks.

lady holds the hand of someone over her shoulder whilst smiling

STAY COMPLIANT

Common Mistakes With Thai Social Security

  1. Missing the 30-day registration deadline for new employees

    Every new hire must be registered with the SSO within 30 days of their start date. Late registration can mean fines and back-payment of contributions.

  2. Missing the 15th-of-the-month contribution deadline

    Both the employee and employer contributions must reach the SSO by the 15th of the following month. It's worth setting an internal payroll deadline a few days earlier to avoid last-minute failures.

  3. Calculating contributions against the old wage ceiling

    The contribution ceiling rose from THB 15,000 to THB 17,500 per month as of January 2026. Payroll systems still running the old figure will under-contribute without anyone noticing.

  4. Not understanding the 5-of-15 eligibility rule

    Certain benefits require 5 months of contributions within the last 15 months to qualify. Employees who assume they're automatically covered can be caught off guard when a claim is denied.

  5. Miscalculating maternity benefits under the old structure

    Since the 2025 reform, maternity leave runs 120 days total: the employer covers the first 60 in full, and the SSO covers the remaining 60 at 50% wage. Businesses still budgeting under the old rules will get this wrong.

  6. Assuming foreign employees don't need SSO registration

    They do, and are entitled to the same benefits as Thai employees. The one sequencing point to get right: a foreign employee generally needs a valid work permit before they can be registered with the SSO.

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TRUST AND ACCOUNTABILITY

What Clients Say

LUKAS KIRCHBERGER

Very professional and reliable law firm with excellent communication. They were clear, responsive, and provided practical legal advice without unnecessary complications. I felt well supported throughout the entire process and can highly recommend Attori Law to both individuals and businesses seeking legal assistance in Thailand.

CONRADO CATIMBANG

I had the pleasure of working with this company for registering my business, as well as handling my visa, work permit, and trademark filing. The entire process was seamless and efficient. They were consistently professional, knowledgeable, and provided amazing suggestions whenever I had concerns. They also kept me updated every step of the way, making the experience stress-free. Their kindness and helpfulness truly stood out. I highly recommend them!

SANKET VELHAL

I was handling a complicated situation around Thai business compliance + immigration/Non-B visa process, with deadlines and a lot of moving parts. Their team stayed calm, explained things clearly, and gave me realistic options instead of false promises... ... If you’re an expat or business owner in Thailand and you need help with visa/work permit, company filings, or compliance, I would definitely recommend Attori Law. They know what they’re doing and they treat clients with respect.

TRYSTAN TRESTCHENKOFF

Me and my partner registered a company with Attori and for now the service is reliable, good and on time. I recommend them to anyone willing to register a company in Thailand.

Scott

Simple and straightforward to talk to for all business and work permit related matters. Excellent customer service!

JOHN BEARDMORE

Attori Law provides excellent legal support. Golf offers a very personalized service, taking the time to understand every detail and making the whole process smooth and professional. Highly recommended.

HIGHLY EXPERIENCED

Services We Provide

FAQs

Do foreign employees have to be registered?

Yes, on the same terms as Thai staff, with the same entitlements. The sequencing is the part to get right: a foreign employee generally needs a valid work permit before they can be registered with the SSO, so the two applications need planning together rather than one after the other.

How much are the contributions?

5 percent of wages from the employee, matched by the employer, up to a monthly wage ceiling of 17,500 baht. Above that ceiling the contribution stops rising, so a higher salary does not mean a higher payment. The calculator above works out both shares for any salary.

The ceiling changed. Is my payroll still correct?

Worth checking. The ceiling rose from 15,000 to 17,500 baht per month in January 2026, and payroll set up before then will keep using the old figure without flagging anything. Under-contributing is not obvious from the outside, which is why it usually surfaces at a compliance review rather than at the time.

What are the deadlines?

Two. New employees must be registered within 30 days of their start date, and monthly contributions must reach the SSO by the 15th of the following month. The 30 day one is the easier to miss, because it attaches to each hire rather than to a recurring date in the calendar.

What happens if contributions are missed?

Fines and back-payment of what was owed, and the employer carries it rather than the employee. The bigger problem is on the employee's side, since benefits depend on a contribution history. A gap in the record can mean a denied claim months or years later, long after the missed payment itself is forgotten.

Am I covered as soon as I start contributing?

Not immediately. Most benefits require a minimum contribution history first, commonly 5 months of contributions within the last 15. Contributing and being eligible are two different things, and employees usually discover the difference at the point of making a claim.

What happens when an employee leaves?

You report the termination to the SSO within the reporting deadline. For the employee, the contribution record carries over to a new employer as long as they stay registered, so years of history are not lost by changing jobs. Failing to report a leaver means continuing to be assessed for someone who has gone.

Can I get my contributions back if I leave Thailand?

Possibly, depending on how long you contributed and which fund the money sits in. The retirement portion is treated differently from the rest, and there are conditions attached to withdrawal. Worth asking before you leave rather than after, since claiming from abroad is considerably harder.