A network of civil society organisations has filed a petition with the Social Security Office (SSO) demanding that it ensure access to abortion for individuals insured under the Social Security Scheme.

On 6 March, the Tamtang Foundation, the Rangsit and Area Labour Union Group, Choices Network, the Sexualities Studies Association, the Women Wellbeing programme, and the Association for RSA Development filed a petition with the Social Security Office, the Ministry of Public Health’s Department of Health, and the National Health Security Office about abortion access issues.

They called on the Social Security Office to ensure the implementation of its policy by issuing clear guidelines for medical professionals about access to abortion under the Scheme and how to proceed with the referral process. They proposed that a set of regulations and indicators be issued to protect patients from unfair treatment.  They also asked that punishments be stipulated for Social Security-network hospitals that refuse to refer patients for abortions. In addition, they called upon registered hospitals to use language that patients can understand, publicise relevant policies and extend scheme coverage to abortion-related procedures such as ultrasounds or complication treatments.

The network requested that the Social Security Office work with other healthcare agencies, such as the National Health Security Office to ensure that individuals seeking abortions get free access to the procedure without requiring a referral.

In June 2025, the Social Security Office announced that it would cover legal abortion services for insured persons. Up to the present, however, access remains difficult due to lack of information and stigmatisation by medical professionals.

In a 14 October 2025 letter to the Minister of Labour, the Tamtang Foundation said it received complaints that hospitals registered under the Social Security Scheme refused to perform abortions or issue referrals. Some reportedly also have requirements that are not stipulated in the law, such as requiring individuals to get referral approval from their Ob/Gyn or only issuing referrals in cases of sexual assault and/or fetus medical problems.

Some Social Security Office representatives seem unaware of the new policy and incorrectly claim that the scheme does not cover abortion procedures. Individuals seeking the procedure have also reportedly been treated badly by hospital personnel and stigmatised for seeking the procedure. One said that a doctor told her to use birth control "so you won't have to kill anyone else." 

Abortion has been legal in Thailand since 2021 up to the 12th week of pregnancy, or up to the 20th week after a required examination and counselling process. It is also covered by the National Health Security Office's "gold card" universal healthcare scheme. However, access remains difficult. According to Tamtang, only 156 hospitals and clinics in 55 out of Thailand's 77 provinces perform abortions, forcing many to travel out of province to get one. Most public hospitals also refuse to disclose whether they perform abortions and only take patients referred to them by NGOs like Tamtang or the 1663 HIV and unplanned pregnancy hotline, while private clinics charge thousands of baht for the procedure. Abortion rights groups have reported that patients continue to be shamed and reprimanded by medical professionals or face requirements that delay their access to the procedure, subjecting them to a higher risk.