The Deputy Government Spokesperson announced that Social Security has increased benefits for more than 500,000 Section 40 insured persons by raising income replacement for disability cases to a maximum of 3,000 baht per month, with lifelong coverage throughout their lives.
On 25 January 2026, Ms. Airin Panrit, Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office, stated that following the government's policy to develop Social Security benefits for Section 40 (informal sector and self-employed workers), and the amendment of the Royal Decree on criteria and rates for contribution payments, types of benefits, and conditions for receiving benefits for registered insured persons (5th edition) B.E. 2568 (2025), effective since October 2025, more than 500,000 Section 40 insured persons have gained increased benefits.
Ms. Airin said that to ensure Section 40 insured persons have security and improved quality of life, without increasing contributions, the government through the Social Security Office, Ministry of Labour, has enhanced benefits for Section 40 insured persons in various areas. These include increasing income replacement for accidents or illness, raising compensation for outpatient visits from 50 baht per visit up to 3 visits per year to 200 baht per visit, also up to 3 visits per year, covering all options.
At the same time, the period for medical leave ordered by a doctor for outpatient care has been adjusted from a minimum of 3 days to 1 day onward for options 1 and 2, not exceeding 30 days per year, and option 3 not exceeding 90 days per year. For disability cases, the income replacement in options 1 and 2 has increased from 500-1,000 baht per month with 15 years coverage to 1,000-2,000 baht per month with lifelong coverage. Option 3 has increased from 500-1,000 baht per month with lifelong coverage to 1,500-3,000 baht per month also with lifelong coverage. Child support payments and child age limits in option 3 have been raised from 200 baht per month per child, up to age 6 years and a maximum of 2 children, to 300 baht per month per child, up to age 7 years and a maximum of 2 children.
Meanwhile, provisions on paying benefits in the event an insured person dies before reaching 60 years old or before receiving old-age benefits have been amended. Old-age lump-sum payments will be made to persons designated in writing by the insured to receive such benefits. If no designation exists, payments will be equally divided among the spouse, parents, or children of the insured. Death benefits have also been increased: funeral expenses in options 1 and 2 have been raised from 20,000 baht to 25,000 baht, and death compensation for those who contributed for at least 60 months has increased from 3,000 baht to 8,000 baht.