Talent Wiki - Thailand

Your quick guide on talent and labor compliance norms in Thailand

Capital

Bangkok

Currency

Thailand Baht (THB)

Languages

Thai (Official)

Payroll Frequency

Monthly

GDP per Capita

$8,780.88

Employer Tax

5%

Talent Overview

Thailand is known for its temples, culture, religion, and scenic beauty. Over the years, the country has boosted its economic development with tourism and industrialization. Out of 39 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, Thailand holds the 13th position for overall economic growth.

Major economic hubs:

Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket

Skills in demand:

Skilled Trades, Sales Representatives, Drivers, Technicians, IT

Local Universities

The top local universities in Thailand are as follows:

Mahidol University

RANKING

Local: 1

World : 416

Chulalongkorn University

RANKING

Local: 2

World : 596

Chiang Mai University

RANKING

Local: 3

World : 824

Khon Kaen University

RANKING

Local: 4

World : 855

Prince of Songkla University

RANKING

Local: 5

World : 1089

Salary Data

The average monthly salary in Thailand is mentioned below:

Job Title Average Monthly Salary (THB) Average Monthly Salary (USD)
Database Administrator 103,000 THB 3,023 USD
Project Manager 117,000 THB 3,433 USD
Business Development Manager 155,000 THB 4,548 USD
Accounting Manager 144,000 THB 4,226 USD
Developer / Programmer 96,600 THB 2,834 USD
Network Engineer 83,800 THB 2,459 USD

Talent Sourcing Tips

Top Local Job Boards:

obThai, Indeed, JobBKK

Number of LinkedIn users:

4,576,000

Top Recruitment Agencies:

EPS recruitment, Fame Placement Co. Ltd, Fischer and Partners 

Employing in Thailand

It is important that employers look into the country’s employment laws and regulations when onboarding people from Thailand. Some of the policies that Thailand observes for the local employees are explained below.

Employee Contract

Employee contracts in Thailand can be oral or written. The language must be in Thai for local employees and in English for foreign workers.

Probationary Period

Thai employees are given up to 4 months of probationary period.

Public and Provincial Holidays

Date Name Type
1 Jan New Year’s Day National holiday
24 Feb Makha Bucha National holiday
26 Feb Day off for Makha Bucha National holiday
6 Apr Chakri Day National holiday
8 Apr Chakri Day observed National holiday
13 Apr Songkran National holiday
14 Apr Songkran National holiday
15 Apr Songkran National holiday
16 Apr Songkran Observed National holiday
1 May Labor Day Bank holiday
4 May Coronation Day National holiday
6 May Coronation Day observed National holiday
6 May Royal Ploughing Ceremony Day (Tentative Date) Government Holiday
3 Jun Queen Suthida’s Birthday National holiday
21 Jul Buddhist Lent Day National holiday
23 Jul Day off for Buddhist Lent Day National holiday
28 Jul King Vajiralongkorn’s Birthday National holiday
29 Jul King Vajiralongkorn’s Birthday observed National holiday
12 Aug The Queen’s Birthday National holiday
13 Oct Anniversary of the Death of King Bhumibol National holiday
14 Oct Anniversary of the Death of King Bhumibol observed National holiday
23 Oct Chulalongkorn Day National holiday
5 Dec King Bhumibol’s Birthday/Father’s Day National holiday
10 Dec Constitution Day National holiday
31 Dec New Year’s Eve National holiday

Employee Leaves

Type of Leave Time Period Mandatory
Annual/Earned Leave 6 days Yes (After One year of Completion)
Sick Leave 30 days Yes
Maternity Leave 98 days Yes

 

Payroll

Payroll Cycle

The payroll cycle in Thailand is usually monthly, depending on what is stated in the contract.

Minimum Wage

The minimum wage varies per region, ranging from 322 THB to 354 THB.

Overtime Pay

The overtime pay in Thailand:

Bonus

13th Month Pay

The 13th-month pay is not mandatory in Thailand.

Employee Benefits

In Thailand, employees are entitled to benefits that employers indicate in employment contracts. Below are some of them:

  • Workmen’s Compensation Fund
  • Medical Insurance
  • Group Life Insurance
  • Old age benefit

Taxes

Employer Payroll Tax:

Category Contribution Maximum
Social Security* 5% Maximum up to 750 THB/ Month
Worker’s Compensation 0.2% – 1%  Maximum 240,000 Baht per person per year

*Social security in Thailand covers 7 benefits: Sickness, Maternity, Invalidity, Death, Child allowance, Unemployment, Retirement

Employee Payroll Tax:

Category Contribution Maximum
Social Security 5% Maximum up to 750 THB/ month

Employee Income Tax:

Taxable Amount Tax rate
0 – 150,000 THB Exempt
150,001 to 300,000 THB 5%
300,001 to 500,000 THB 10%
500,001 to 750,000 THB 15%
750,001 to 1,000,000 THB 20%
1,000,001 to 2,000,000 THB 25%
2,000,001 to 5,000,000 THB 30%
Above 5,000,000 35%

VAT:

Thailand has a standard VAT of 7%.

Offboarding & Termination

Termination of the contract may be initiated by either the employer or the employee, and either party shall issue notice. However, if the employee has a fixed contract, a notice is unnecessary when the contract expires.

Thai employees under probation are given a notice period of up to 30 days. After probation, they are to observe a notice period of up to 3 months when terminating their employment.

The severance pay is based on the years of service by the employee.

Years of Service Severance Pay
120 days to 364 days 30 days pay
1 year to 2 years and 364 days 90 days pay
3 years to 5 years and 364 days 180 days pay
6 years to 9 years and 364 days 240 days pay
More than 10 years 300 days pay

Visa and Immigration

To legally work in Thailand, foreign employees must first acquire a Non-immigrant visa B which can be either a 90-day single entry or 1-year multiple entries. This can be extended as well as cancelled on certain conditions by the embassy. After which, a foreign employee can apply for a work permit.

Streamline payroll and compliance for your international workforce

Payroll

Minimum Wage

Overtime Pay

The overtime pay in Thailand:

Period Rate
Normal Days 1.5 times the hourly rate
Normal working hours on Holidays 2 times the hourly rate
Overtime on Holiday 3 times the hourly rate

 

Visa & Immigration