Thai men who have made contributions to the Social Security Fund can now claim refunds for medical check-ups, pre-natal care and child delivery expenses from the Office of Social Security on behalf of their partner, even if the woman has not made contributions to the fund.

Moreover, the men can also claim an 800 baht per month subsidy from the office for their new-born babies until they are six years old, on the condition that they have made contributions to the Social Security Fund for at least 12 months in the previous 3 years, according to Boonsong Thapchaiyuth, secretary-general of the Office of Social Security at the Labour Ministry.

He said today (Tuesday) that the ministry is fully aware of the costs of childcare and has found it necessary to help relieve the financial burden, from birth and through the children’s formative years.

To be entitled to the subsidies, Thai men must have made financial contributions to the Social Security Fund under Sections 33 and 39 of the social security law.

They are entitled to a refund of 1,500 baht for medical check-ups and pre-natal care for their pregnant wives, regardless of whether their marriages are legally registered.

The men can also claim a refund for child delivery expenses, up to a maximum of 15,000 baht, on the condition that they have made contributions to Social Security Fund for at least five months within the 15 months prior to the child’s birth.