BANGKOK — Thailand's Cabinet has approved in principle a draft royal decree that would allow three previously excluded groups of workers to join the Social Security system under Section 33, giving them access to a full range of benefits including healthcare, maternity, disability, survivor, old-age and unemployment benefits.
The move is expected to increase the number of insured workers by more than 1.05 million people by 2030.
The announcement was made by Acting Captain Phatdarasmi Thongsaluaykorn, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, following a Cabinet meeting.
The draft decree, proposed by the Ministry of Labour, would expand Section 33 coverage to three groups:
Workers in agriculture, forestry and livestock businesses
Workers employed by individual employers, including domestic workers, gardeners and drivers
Workers employed by street-vending businesses
Under the proposed changes, workers who were previously excluded from the Social Security system would be able to receive the same benefits as other Section 33 insured employees.
These benefits would cover illness, cancer, maternity, disability, death, old age and unemployment, providing greater financial protection for workers and their families when unexpected events affect their health, income or employment.
Foreign workers also eligible
The expanded coverage would apply to both Thai and foreign workers who have valid identity documents and work permits.
It would also cover certain foreign workers who have been granted special permission to work in Thailand.
The government said the Social Security Act does not specify the nationality of workers who must be registered, meaning eligible foreign workers in these groups can also register as Section 33 insured persons.
180-day preparation period
The Council of State has revised the proposed implementation period from the original 60 days to 180 days after publication in the Royal Gazette.
The additional time is intended to allow employers, workers and the Social Security Office to prepare for the changes, including systems for collecting contributions and public communication about the new rights.
More than 1 million additional insured workers expected
The government expects the number of newly covered workers to increase gradually from 2026.
By 2030, the number of insured workers covered by the expanded system is projected to exceed 1.05 million.
The government said the reform is intended to extend social protection to workers who have historically remained outside the formal social security system.
The expansion would provide greater protection for workers such as domestic workers, gardeners, drivers, street vendors' employees and workers in agriculture, forestry and livestock businesses when they become ill, disabled, unemployed or reach retirement age.
The government described the reform as more than simply increasing the number of people registered with Social Security. It is intended to extend basic social protection to a wider range of workers whose jobs are part of everyday life in Thailand.