The government announced that all spouses, regardless of gender, who have legally registered their marriage are entitled to social security benefits such as death benefits, old-age gratuities, and funeral expenses according to established criteria and conditions.
On 15 Aug 2026 GMT+7, Ms. Ploytale Laksemu Saengchan, Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office, stated that the government prioritizes benefits and service system improvements to support diversity, ensuring all insured persons receive equal and comprehensive protection. Following the enforcement of the 2024 Civil and Commercial Code Amendment Act, or the “Marriage Equality Law,” which redefined marriage from “man and woman” to “two persons,” all legally registered spouses of any gender have lawful marital status and equal rights protection.
Ms. Ploytale explained that all legally married spouses, regardless of gender, are entitled to benefits under criteria set by the Social Security Office, especially death-related rights including death compensation, funeral expenses, and old-age gratuity as follows.
1. Regarding death compensation: If the insured person has designated a beneficiary in writing, the compensation will be paid to that person according to the criteria. If no beneficiary is designated, payment is made to entitled persons in the following order.
1.1. The legally married husband or wife.
1.2. The father and mother; if unmarried, only the mother is eligible.
1.3. Children, including legally adopted children.
2. For funeral expenses: The spouse may act as the funeral manager and apply for funeral expense reimbursement from the Social Security Office, which pays a lump sum of 50,000 baht under specified criteria and conditions.
3. Regarding old-age gratuity: Insured persons under Sections 33 and 39 who die before receiving their old-age pension leave heirs entitled to receive old-age gratuity, consisting of accumulated funds and benefits, distributed among entitled persons as follows.
3.1. Legitimate children receive two parts; if there are three or more children, they receive a total of three parts.
3.2. The legally married husband or wife receives one part.
3.3. Living father and mother receive one part.
3.4. Persons designated by the insured in writing receive one part shared with other heirs.
"If there are no heirs or designated beneficiaries, payment follows this order: full siblings, half-siblings sharing the same father or mother, grandparents, and uncles or aunts. The insured may appoint beneficiaries other than heirs by submitting a written designation in advance, ensuring payment aligns with their intentions. Eligible persons can apply for death benefit compensation within two years from the insured's date of death at Social Security provincial offices or convenient Social Security offices in Bangkok nationwide. To safeguard their rights and receive benefits properly, insured persons should verify and prepare their related documents thoroughly," Ms. Ploytale added.