Every business in Thailand that employs staff must contend with the new minimum wage rates that became effective on 1 April 2018.
Minimum Wage in Thailand
The Thai Ministry of Interior introduced the concept of a minimum wage in 1972, but it wasn’t until 2013 when a national minimum wage of 300 baht per day was established. This lasted until 2017 when it was then modified to vary according to each province’s economic indicators, such as inflation and cost of living.
Rates Differ by Province
Some may think that Bangkok, being the capital of Thailand, would have the highest minimum wage rate. This is not the case.
| Minimum Wage (per day) | Province |
| 308 | Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala |
| 310 | Amnat Charoen, Chaiyaphum, Chiang Rai, Chumphon, Kamphang Phet, Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Maha Sarakham, Nakorn Si Thammarat, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Phichit, Phrae, Ranong, Ratchaburi, Satun, Singburi, Sisaket, Sukhothai, Tak, Trang, Uthaithani |
| 315 | Ang Thong, Bung Kan, Buriram, Chainat, Kanchanaburi, Loei, Nakhorn Phanom, Nakhon Sawan, Nan Phatthalung, Phayao, Petchaboon, Petchaburi, Phitsanulok, Prachuap Kirikan, Roi Et, Sa Kaeo, Surin, Udorn Thani, Uttaradit, Yasothon |
| 318 | Chanthaburi, Kalasin, Mukdahan, Nakhon Nayok, Prachinburi, Sakon Nakhon, Samut Songkram |
| 320 | Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Lpburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nong Khai, Phang Nga, Saraburi, Songkhla, Suphanburi, Surat Thani, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani |
| 325 | Bangkok, Chachoengsao, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathumthani, Samut Prakarn, Samut Sakhon |
| 330 | Chonburi, Phuket, Rayong |
Special Considerations for Minimum Wage Rates
Thailand’s provincial minimum wage rates may be set per day, but “per day” is defined. For most workers, the rate applies to an eight-hour work day and a 48-hour work week. For jobs determined by the government to be detrimental to a worker’s health or safety, that decreases to a seven-hour work day and a 42-hour work week.
Furthermore, the Thai government recognizes that certain jobs require a higher skill level, and therefore sets higher minimum wage rates for those qualified workers. There is a list of skilled labor jobs with minimum wage rates ranging from 370 to 600 baht a day, including HVAC technicians, specialized welders, cooling room technicians, as well as other skilled technicians. (Please contact GPS for a full list)
Thai Law is Known to Favor Employees
Know your rights as an employee or obligations as an employer when it comes to Thai labor laws. The team at GPS Legal has the necessary experience and will be happy to speak with you about any concerns you may have.
