Healthcare Services for Migrant Workers in Thailand

The Thai government is addressing the significant financial burden on public hospitals, which face an average loss of 2.5 billion baht annually from unpaid medical bills for migrant workers. According to data from the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), the uncollected amount could reach 92 billion baht by 2024.

To solve this, the Minister of Public Health, Mr. Somsak Thepsutin, has tasked the Health Economics and Health Security Division with encouraging all foreign nationals in Thailand to purchase health insurance. This measure aims to bring them into the legal system and alleviate the financial strain on public hospitals. The Ministry is also proposing to increase the price of the “Migrant Worker Health Card” by 10 baht per day, bringing the annual cost for workers outside the Social Security system to 3,650 baht.

Three Groups of Migrant Workers and Healthcare Access

Migrant workers and stateless individuals in Thailand currently access healthcare through three main channels:

1. Stateless Individuals: This group, with a registered population of 723,603, is covered by the Health Security Fund for Individuals with Problems of Status and Rights (Tor. 99), funded by the government.
2. Registered Workers: This group consists of legally registered migrant workers from Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Their employers must enroll them in the Social Security system, which provides various benefits, including medical care. As of February 28, 2025, over 1.5 million foreign workers were registered with the Social Security Office (SSO).
3. Mandatory Health Insurance: This system is for migrant workers not covered by Social Security or those awaiting enrollment. It also includes their dependents. Workers in this group are legally required to purchase health insurance and undergo a health check-up. As of fiscal year 2023, 613,772 health cards were registered, covering 551,662 individuals.

Health Check-up and Health Insurance Fees for Migrant Workers

The Ministry of Public Health’s Health Security Fund for Foreigners and Migrant Workers released updated guidelines on March 24, 2025. The cost of the health check-up and health insurance varies depending on the coverage period, as follows:

1. For Irregular Migrant Workers (Permitted to Work for 1 Year)

• Waiting for Social Security (3-month coverage):
  • Total: 1,000 Baht
  • Health Check-up: 500 Baht
  • Health Insurance: 500 Baht
• Not Covered by Social Security (Over 7 years old but not over 18):
  • 1.5-year coverage:
    • Total: 3,400 Baht
    • Health Check-up (2 check-ups): 1,000 Baht
    • Health Insurance: 2,400 Baht
  • 1-year coverage:
    • Total: 2,100 Baht
    • Health Check-up: 500 Baht
    • Health Insurance: 1,600 Baht
  • 6-month coverage:
    • Total: 1,400 Baht
    • Health Check-up: 500 Baht
    • Health Insurance: 900 Baht
• For Sea Fishery Workers (1-year coverage):
  • Total: 2,150 Baht
  • Health Check-up: 550 Baht
  • Health Insurance: 1,600 Baht
• For Dependents Under 7 Years Old:
  • 2-year coverage:
    • Total: 730 Baht
    • Health Check-up: Waived (developmental check only)
    • Health Insurance: 730 Baht
  • 1-year coverage:
    • Total: 365 Baht
    • Health Check-up: Waived (developmental check only)
    • Health Insurance: 365 Baht

2. For Work Permit Renewal (for 2 Years)

• Waiting for Social Security (3-month coverage):
  • Total: 1,000 Baht
  • Health Check-up: 500 Baht
  • Health Insurance: 500 Baht
• Not Covered by Social Security (Over 7 years old but not over 18):
  • 2-year coverage:
    • Total: 4,200 Baht
    • Health Check-up (2 check-ups): 1,000 Baht
    • Health Insurance: 3,200 Baht
  • 1.5-year coverage:
    • Total: 3,400 Baht
    • Health Check-up (2 check-ups): 1,000 Baht
    • Health Insurance: 2,400 Baht
  • 1-year coverage:
    • Total: 2,100 Baht
    • Health Check-up: 500 Baht
    • Health Insurance: 1,600 Baht
  • 6-month coverage:
    • Total: 1,400 Baht
    • Health Check-up: 500 Baht
    • Health Insurance: 900 Baht
• For Sea Fishery Workers:
  • 2-year coverage:
    • Total: 4,300 Baht
    • Health Check-up (2 check-ups): 1,100 Baht
    • Health Insurance: 3,200 Baht
  • 1-year coverage:
    • Total: 2,150 Baht
    • Health Check-up: 550 Baht
    • Health Insurance: 1,600 Baht
• For Dependents Under 7 Years Old:
  • 2-year coverage:
    • Total: 730 Baht
    • Health Insurance: 730 Baht
  • 1-year coverage:
    • Total: 365 Baht
    • Health Insurance: 365 Baht

3. For Cross-Border Workers (Article 64) This applies to workers from Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia who cross the border for work.

• Total: 1,000 Baht
• Health Check-up: 500 Baht
• Health Insurance: 500 Baht
• Coverage Period: 3 months

A health certificate is valid for 60 days from the date of the check-up, except for health insurance purposes, where it is valid for one year.

source : https://www.hfocus.org/content/2025/03/33527