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Compliantly hire and expand your business in Thailand
When it comes to employing and managing employees in Thailand, there are specific procedures and regulations that must be followed.
Thailand, historically known as Siam (the official name until 1939), is a country in Southeast Asia on the Indochinese Peninsula. Thailand is bordered to the northwest by Myanmar, to the northeast and east by Laos, to the southeast by Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the southwest by the Andaman Sea; it also shares maritime borders with Vietnam to the southeast and Indonesia and India to the southwest. Bangkok is the state capital and largest city.
Bangkok
Capital
$7,731
GDP per Capita
$543.248 billion
Total GDP
69,794,997
Total Population
0.803
Human Development Index
UTC+7
Time Zone
Thai
Official Language
Thai Baht (THB)
Currency
513,120 km2 (198,120 mi2)
Land Area
Here's what you need to know
Overall, employing workers in Thailand requires careful attention to the specific requirements and regulations. Working with a local expert in employment and payroll can help ensure that you’re meeting all the legal requirements and providing a positive employment experience for your staff.
Employment contracts are not mandatory in Thailand, but highly recommended. They should be written in Thai or English and clearly outline:
Job title, duties, and responsibilities
Salary and benefits (including bonuses)
Working hours and overtime pay
Leave entitlements (annual leave, sick leave, etc.)
Termination terms (notice period, severance pay)
Confidentiality clauses (if applicable)
Minimum Wage
Thailand has a regionalized minimum wage system. Rates vary by province and are adjusted periodically. You can find the latest minimum wage figures on the Ministry of Labor's website.
Payroll Terms
Salaries are typically paid monthly on the last working day of the month or within the first few days of the following month. Payslips with details of gross pay, deductions, and net pay are mandatory.
Taxes
Personal Income Tax:
Thailand uses a progressive income tax system. Employees pay income tax based on their annual earnings, with rates ranging from 0% to 35%. Employers withhold income tax at source and remit it to the Revenue Department along with social security contributions.
Corporate Income Tax:
Companies are subject to corporate income tax on their profits. The current rate is 30%.
Social Security
Thailand has a social security system that covers healthcare, unemployment insurance, and old-age pensions. Both employers and employees contribute a set percentage of the employee's salary towards these programs.
Thailand has a standardized leave policy:
Annual Leave
Minimum of 6 working days per year, increasing with service duration (up to 12 days). Unused vacation days can be carried over to the next year with limitations.
Sick Leave
Up to 30 days of paid sick leave per year with doctor's certification.
Maternity Leave
Up to 90 days of paid maternity leave for female employees, followed by an optional unpaid parental leave (up to 1 year).
Paternity Leave
15 days of paid paternity leave for male employees.
Public Holidays
13 official public holidays per year.
Probationary Period
The maximum probationary period in Thailand is typically 3 months, but it can be shorter based on the employment contract.
Termination of Employment
Termination of employment should follow the terms outlined in the contract or the Labor Protection Act. Notice periods and potential severance pay vary depending on the reason for termination and the employee's length of service.
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