General Employment Rules in Thailand

The maximum working day must not exceed 8 hours, and the maximum working week must not exceed 48 hours. Men and women must receive equal pay and overtime compensation for work of the same nature and duration. Overtime rates range from 1.5 to 3 times the regular salary for the same period. However, overtime work performed by company executives and employees in managerial positions is not subject to additional pay.

Employees are entitled to 6 days of paid annual leave.

Women are entitled to 90 days of maternity leave, including 45 days of paid leave.

Employees may also take sick leave of up to 30 working days per year. If sick leave exceeds three days, the employer has the right to request a medical certificate issued by a qualified doctor.

Social Security

Each employee must be registered with the Social Security Fund (SSF) no later than 30 days after starting work with the company. Company directors, shareholders, and their family members are not registered with the SSF.

The Social Security Act provides for mandatory monthly contributions to the Social Security Fund.

The employer is required to withhold 5% from the employee’s salary for contribution to the SSF and additionally contribute 5% from its own funds. The maximum contribution from the employee’s salary is capped at 1,500 THB per month. Payment must be made no later than the 15th day of the month following the reporting period.

The Social Security Fund is intended to provide compensation benefits to employees in cases of maternity, accidents, death, old age, unemployment, as well as disability and illnesses not related to work.

In addition, the employer must withhold a percentage of the employee’s annual salary for contribution to the Compensation Fund of the Department of Labour. This percentage ranges from 0.2% to 1.0% depending on the employer’s business activity. The fund provides compensation in cases of work-related injuries or illnesses.