One question that I see many teachers who are looking to work in Thailand struggle with is: what kind of employee benefits are available to teachers in the country?

Some Ajarn readers may be familiar with my articles on health insurance, but what you might not know is that Pacific Prime also specializes in employee benefits. So, if you’re looking to learn more about the employee benefits that are available to teachers in Thailand, you’ve come to the right place! Let me walk you through it. 

Social Security

Let’s start with the most common and basic benefit: social security. 

Every employee working in Thailand will get this, and some employers will apply for social security on your behalf. You must pay 5% of your monthly salary, up to a maximum of 750 Baht, which will be taken directly from your paycheck. 

Some schools might ask you which hospital you prefer, but it's likely that they'll make the decision for you. This is often also based on their insurer’s network of providers. 

Most expatriates who work in Thailand are unaware that they are covered by social security and are unsure of its procedures and perks. I wrote an article on social security that offers a more in-depth explanation of the subject, which you can read here.  

Accommodation/Housing Benefits

Depending on the school you work for, teachers will be given access to fully furnished school residences. This is more likely to happen if you’re employed at an international school. If this isn’t part of the employee benefits package, you will have to look for a flat. The good news is that Thailand has a wide range of options to choose from. Some schools will also have recommendations for their teachers. 

Flight Benefits 

Flight benefits depend on the school that you will be working for as not every place will offer it.  This is a one-way economy class ticket from the country you’re residing in. Once your contract is over, another ticket will be given to you so you can travel to your next destination.  

Annual & Sick Leave

You're entitled to school holidays that are stated in the institution’s academic calendar. The number of holidays will depend on the school you work for. In both Thai and international schools, public holidays will usually be the same - according to the school’s syllabus. If you are sick for more than 3 days in a row, most schools require a note from the doctor. 

Medical Insurance

This isn’t the same as social security. Some schools, mainly international ones, will offer medical insurance for teachers, spouses, and children. Other schools will offer additional basic health insurance on top of social security, such as dental or vision insurance. It’s recommended that you check what’s included in your employer-provided medical insurance package and speak to an insurance broker to find out how you can make the most of your plan. 

If you’re a teacher moving to Thailand and are looking for health insurance, there are a few questions to ask yourself first. Or if you’re searching for an employee benefits provider, make sure you work with an employee benefits specialist that can provide tailored solutions.  

You’ll be happy to know that you don’t have to navigate the complexities of health insurance or employee benefits alone. We at Pacific Prime Thailand know what you need to look out for and can help you understand your current plan, secure the right policy for your needs and budget, and more. 

If you’d like to have a chat about this, feel free to email me at ajarn@pacificprime.co.th or contact my team.