Thai Ministry of Labour Proposes Expanding Social Security Coverage

According to a report by Matichon Online on August 25, 2026, Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat announced that the Ministry of Labour is preparing an emergency decree aimed at expanding the scope of Section 33 of the Social Security Act. This proposed change seeks to provide social security coverage to groups currently excluded from this specific tier, including agricultural workers, street vendors, and domestic helpers.

For residents and long-term expatriates, this development is significant as it signals a potential shift in the national social safety net, which could impact labor costs and the formalization of informal employment sectors. If enacted, this policy would integrate millions of workers into the state-managed insurance system, potentially altering the landscape for small businesses and household employers who rely on domestic or informal labor.

At this stage, the proposal remains in the drafting phase. Key details, such as the specific contribution rates for these new categories of insured persons and the exact timeline for the decree’s implementation, have not yet been finalized. Interested parties should monitor official government announcements for further clarification on how these changes might affect specific employment arrangements or business operations in Thailand.