Thailand mulls extending welfare benefits to freelancers

According to Minister of Tourism and Sports Sorawong Thienthong, the Government is in discussion with several agencies to set up a welfare system to protect freelancers, such as tour guides, ride-hailing service drivers, and online content creators.

Under the new system, freelancers could claim medical and other welfare benefits, just like other workers who are registered with the Social Security Office. However, they must declare their income and pay the required taxes, he said.

Sorawong said the move followed a discussion with representatives from various civil and labor advocacy groups, during which they outlined the potential challenges in setting up such a system.

The inputs from these groups will serve as the basis for a bill on welfare coverage for freelance workers that the government plans to present in the next parliamentary session, he said.