Hire in Thailand compliantly. Navigate a daily minimum wage system that varies by province, severance pay scaling to 400 days’ wages and a social security wage ceiling that just increased for the first time in nearly 20 years.
Capital
Bangkok
Language
Thai
Average Salary
THB 29,000
Payroll Cycle
Monthly
Employer Cost
5-6%
Paid Leave
6 days
Public Holidays
17 days
Tax Rates
0-35%
Hiring guides covering regulations, contributions and costs specific to Thailand. Updated for 2026.
Thailand’s 2026 minimum wage ranges from THB 337 to THB 400 per day depending on province, with Bangkok at the top. Combined with a social security ceiling increase and a new Employee Welfare Fund, total employer costs are rising. This guide breaks down the provincial wage grid, social security reform, total cost, overtime, income tax, and regional comparisons.
Read ArticleWorking legally in Thailand requires both a Non-Immigrant B visa (obtained at a Thai embassy before entry) and a separate work permit (obtained from the Ministry of Labour after arrival). The employer must have at least THB 2 million in registered capital per foreign worker and employ at least 4 Thai nationals for every foreign hire. This guide covers the full employer-side process: WP.3 pre-approval, Non-B visa application, work permit submission, the 1-year extension, alternative tracks (SMART Visa for S-curve industries, LTR Visa for high earners, BOI promotion for qualifying companies), restricted occupations, costs (THB 2,000 to THB 10,000 in government fees), and how an EOR handles the entire process through its own Thai entity.
Read ArticleThailand's maternity leave expanded to 120 days on 7 December 2025 under the new Labour Protection Act (No. 9). See the full 60/60 employer vs SSF pay split, eligibility rules, and the 15-day paid spousal leave.
Read ArticleThe average salary in Thailand for 2026 is approximately THB 15,000 per month gross (~USD $440) per National Statistical Office data, but Bangkok formal-sector pay runs THB 22,274 and professional roles reach THB 80,000+. This guide covers the four distinct Thai economies (Bangkok, EEC, Chiang Mai, Phuket), the province-based minimum wage system, professional role salaries by seniority, why Thailand has the lowest employer mandatory cost in Southeast Asia thanks to the THB 750 Social Security cap, and the EEC's 17 percent flat tax rate for qualifying expats.
Read Article
Thailand’s social security wage ceiling just increased to THB 17,500 from January 2026, the first adjustment in nearly 20 years. Any provider still calculating SSO contributions on the old THB 15,000 ceiling is non-compliant from the first payroll of 2026.
Our assessment of EOR providers in Thailand evaluates Labor Protection Act compliance, SSO ceiling accuracy, severance provisioning and work permit management.
When you hire in Thailand, annual leave starts at just 6 days, one of the lowest entitlements in Asia. However, 30 paid sick days and 13+ public holidays bring total paid time off closer to regional averages.
| Key Employment Facts | |
| Minimum Wage | THB 337-400/day by province (Bangkok THB 400, from July 2025) |
| Probation Period | Up to 119 days (contractual, not statutory) |
| Standard Working Hours | 48 hours/week (8 hours/day), 42 hours for hazardous work |
| Paid Annual Leave | 6 days minimum (after 1 year of service) |
| Notice Period | 1 pay cycle advance notice (typically 30 days for monthly employees) |
| 13th Salary | Not statutory (common practice in larger companies) |
| Sick Leave | 30 days/year paid (doctor’s certificate required after 3 consecutive days) |
| Maternity Leave | 120 days (60 days employer-paid, from December 2025) |
Good to Know: Thailand’s maternity leave was increased from 98 to 120 days under the Labor Protection Act (No. 9), effective December 7, 2025. Employers must now pay 60 days at full wages (up from 45). The remaining 60 days may be partially covered by SSO benefits. The same amendment introduced 15 days of paid paternity/spousal leave for the first time in Thai law.
When you hire in Thailand, direct employer contributions are among the lowest in ASEAN at roughly 6% of salary. The new SSO wage ceiling from January 2026 increases maximum contributions but total employer burden remains highly competitive.
| Employer Contributions (2026) | |
| Contribution | Employer Rate |
| Social Security (SSO) | 5% of salary (capped at THB 17,500/month = max THB 875/month) |
| Workmen’s Compensation Fund | 0.2-1% of payroll (by industry risk) |
| Employee Welfare Fund (from Oct 2026) | 0.25% of wages |
| Total Employer Cost | ~5.5-6.5% of salary |
| Employee Taxes | |
| Tax / Contribution | Employee Rate |
| Personal Income Tax (progressive, 8 brackets) | 0-35% (exempt on first THB 150,000 net income) |
| Social Security (SSO) | 5% of salary (capped at THB 17,500/month = max THB 875/month) |
| Employee Welfare Fund (from Oct 2026) | 0.25% of wages |
Good to Know: Thailand’s SSO wage ceiling increase is phased over three stages: THB 17,500 (2026-2028), THB 20,000 (2029-2031) and THB 23,000 (2032 onwards). For an employee earning THB 30,000/month, the employer SSO cost rose from THB 750 to THB 875 in January 2026. The real cost consideration when you hire in Thailand is not contributions but severance. A 10-year employee earning THB 50,000/month generates a potential severance liability of THB 500,000 (300 days’ wages). Budget for this from day one.
Private sector employers in Thailand must provide at least 17 paid holidays per year, selected from the government's annual holiday list. The actual list typically includes 16-19 national holidays.
| Date | Holiday |
| January 1 | New Year’s Day |
| January 2 | New Year Special Holiday |
| March 3 | Makha Bucha Day |
| April 6 | Chakri Memorial Day |
| April 13-15 | Songkran Festival (3 days) |
| May 1 | Labour Day |
| May 4 | Coronation Day |
| May 31 | Visakha Bucha Day (observed June 1, Monday) |
| June 3 | Queen Suthida’s Birthday |
| July 28 | King Vajiralongkorn’s Birthday |
| July 29 | Asalha Bucha Day |
| August 12 | Queen Mother’s Birthday / Mother’s Day |
| October 13 | King Bhumibol Memorial Day |
| October 23 | Chulalongkorn Day |
| December 5 | King Bhumibol’s Birthday / Father’s Day (observed December 7, Monday) |
| December 10 | Constitution Day |
| December 31 | New Year’s Eve |
Good to Know: Songkran (April 13-15) is Thailand’s biggest operational disruption. While officially 3 days, many businesses close for a full week. On Buddhist holidays (Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asarnha Bucha, Khao Phansa), alcohol sales are banned for 24 hours nationwide. This is a legal rule with penalties for violations, not a suggestion.
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