The Social Security Office (SSO) has invested about Bt10 million to get 1.2 million off-system workers as subscribers by this September - from the current 700,000 subscribers.

By next September, the office hopes to reach its next goal of 2.4 million subscribers, SSO chief Jeerasak Sukhonthachart said yesterday. The campaign includes public relations events and special promotions with application channels opened through banks and convenience stores.

According to the SSO Act's Section 40, subscribers have two options: paying Bt70 every month (which the government would meet with Bt30 per month in the first year) and be compensated for the lack of income caused by hospitalisation, disability or death; and by paying Bt100 per month (which the government would meet with Bt50) and get compensation for the above cases plus ageing compensation.

He dismissed news that the SSO board objected to a measure enabling subscribers of three healthcare schemes to get free emergency services at any hospital.

He said they had been approved in principle and concerns were only about budget. The SSO would draft clear regulations and table them at the SSO board meeting on April 17. He said the additional Bt200 million in expenses was not a burden because, because by April 1, only 10 per cent of emergency service users were SSO subscribers