On November 27, 2024, Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Labour, launched a project aimed at raising awareness and promoting social security for freelancers and volunteer workers in Bangkok. The event was attended by Mr. Aree Krailnara, Secretary to the Minister of Labour; Mr. Boonsong Thapchaiyut, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour; Ms. Marasri Jairangsi, Secretary-General of the Social Security Office; along with senior executives from the Ministry of Labour, Social Security Office representatives, volunteer workers, Social Security Section 40 network members in Bangkok, and members of the media. The event took place at The Emerald Hotel on Ratchada Road in Bangkok.
Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn revealed that the training session for this communication and awareness project demonstrates the Ministry of Labour’s commitment to its goals under the policy “Outstanding Social Security, Emphasis on Modern Skills, Jobs for All Thais, A Culture of Safety, and a Stable Labour Economy.” This initiative focuses particularly on engaging volunteer workers and social security network members in Bangkok to disseminate information on benefits and welfare. The project also aims to encourage freelancers to access comprehensive welfare services, such as health protection, compensation starting from the first day of doctor-ordered work leave, and various benefits covering social, occupational, and housing needs. For example, the Ministry has expanded home loan rights to include all insured persons. This will enable volunteers to extend these benefits to community residents comprehensively. Currently, Bangkok has approximately 1.72 million insured persons under Section 40. These insured persons are entitled to up to five types of benefits, including Accident or illness compensation: Income replacement benefit for up to 90 days; Disability benefits: Monthly income replacement benefit of 500–1,000 baht, payable for life; Death benefits: Funeral expenses up to 50,000 baht; Old-age benefits: Lump-sum payment upon retirement; and Child allowance: Monthly payments for children from birth until six years old. Additionally, the Social Security Office offers housing loans for insured persons, allowing them to purchase homes or land for construction with loans of up to 2 million baht per person, ensuring better quality of life and contributing to the nation’s economic development.
Mr. Boonsong Thapchaiyut, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour stated that there are over 11 million Section 40 insured persons nationwide, with over 25,000 social security network representatives and 247,000 members of the “Baworn” network (households, temples, schools, and factories). The Ministry of Labour, through the Social Security Office, prioritizes communication and raising awareness about social security benefits and tasks to inform the public, volunteer workers, and local networks. This event is part of the Ministry’s efforts to achieve this goal.
Ms. Marasri Jairangsi, Secretary-General of the Social Security Office added that the Social Security Office emphasizes the importance of Section 40, which provides coverage for informal workers and aims to enhance the knowledge and understanding of Social Security network representatives regarding the benefits available to insured persons. This initiative enables them to advocate for and encourage more freelancers to join the Social Security system. The “Communication and Awareness Project” is part of a larger effort to highlight the role of social security networks, including activities such as Registering Section 40 insured persons; Recruiting social security network members; Hosting discussions to exchange knowledge on Section 40; Organizing exhibitions by Ministry of Labour units; and Hosting network partner activities and more. These efforts aim to promote inclusion and expand the benefits of social security to freelancers across Bangkok and beyond.
