Bangkok: Permanent Secretary of Labor reveals agenda for raising the minimum wage by 400 baht/day to be presented at the Cabinet meeting tomorrow. If approved, it will take effect from July 1, 2025 onwards.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Boonsong Thapchaiyut, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labor, announced that during the 22nd Tripartite Wage Committee Meeting No. 6/2568, a resolution was passed to approve the adjustment of the minimum wage to 400 baht per day in mid-June. The agenda is set to be considered in the upcoming Cabinet meeting, with all areas of Bangkok having the minimum wage adjusted to 400 baht per day. In the provinces, this adjustment will apply to specific businesses such as 2-star hotels or more, hotels with 50 or more rooms, businesses with restaurants in hotels, and entertainment venues like karaoke and cocktail lounges, as per the Entertainment Venue Act. If the Cabinet approves and it is announced in the Royal Gazette, the new wage will be effective from July 1, 2025.
The proposal to the Cabinet meeting has been in process since mid-June, and there are no anticipated issues. The Permanent Secretary emphasized that the wage increase guidelines must consider the opinions of the Wage Committee, which involves all three tripartite parties. The recent meeting agreed to adjust the wages based on the economic situation, high cost of living, particularly in Bangkok, and primarily Thai workers in the tourism and service sectors. An estimated 700,000 to 800,000 workers are expected to benefit from this adjustment.
The Permanent Secretary also highlighted that the Social Security Department is focusing on enhancing the quality of life for insured persons and prioritizing their benefits. As per the Ministerial Regulation on the Criteria and Rates for Unemployment Benefits (No. 2) B.E. 2568, unemployment benefits have been increased, allowing insured persons under Section 33 who have been laid off to receive compensation at 60% of their daily wages for up to 180 days, effective from June 28, 2025.
Additionally, unemployment benefits cover situations where employees resign or have their employment contract terminated. In such cases, insured persons will receive compensation at 30% of their daily wages for up to 90 days per calendar year. For more details on unemployment benefits, individuals can contact the hotline 1506, which is available 24 hours a day.