Bangkok: The Cabinet has approved the principle of a Royal Decree that specifies the criteria and rates for contribution payments and types of compensation benefits. Ms. Sasikarn Wattanachan, Deputy Government Spokesperson, announced that the decree will amend several aspects of the compensation benefits for insured individuals as proposed by the Ministry of Labor.
According to Thai News Agency, the amendments will include changes to the criteria for receiving benefits in the event of accidents or illnesses, with a reduction in the period required for compensation eligibility. Insured persons under Options 1-3 will see an increase in benefit rates for those not receiving hospital treatment, provided a medical certificate is presented to the Social Security Office. The benefit rate will increase from 50 baht to 200 baht for Options 1-2, and from an unspecified amount to 200 baht per instance for Option 3.
The new decree also specifies that insured persons under Options 1-3, who are treated for dangerous communicable diseases, including COVID-19, are entitled to benefits of 200 baht per day. Additionally, the criteria for disability benefits for insured persons under Options 1-2 will change from a 15-year to a lifetime monthly income replacement, with increased monthly benefits ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 baht. For Option 3, the benefit range will increase to 1,500-3,000 baht per month.
Further amendments include changes to child welfare benefits, where insured persons under Option 3 will receive a welfare card for children up to the age of 7, at a rate of 300 baht per month per child. The criteria for benefit payments in the event of death for insured persons under Options 2-3 have also been revised, allowing designated individuals to receive the old-age pension if the insured person dies before the age of 60 or before receiving old-age benefits.
Additionally, the decree includes temporary provisions for those affected by COVID-19 from March 26, 2020, to September 30, 2022, allowing them to receive income replacement under the new law. Insured persons under Alternatives 1-3 who were injured or sick before the new decree's enactment will be eligible for compensation under the new law. Those who received compensation for disability or child welfare under the old law will have access to increased compensation under the new regulations.