Payroll & Employment Guide Thailand flag

Payroll & Employment Guide Thailand

Thailand continues to attract global employers thanks to its strategic location, growing digital economy, and a skilled, cost-effective workforce. Known for its established infrastructure and business-friendly environment, Thailand is a popular destination for companies expanding in Southeast Asia.

Payroll & Employment Guide Thailand
CurrencyThai Baht (THB)
LanguagesThai
Minimum wageTHB 337-400 per day
Employment cost5.2-6%
Working hours48 hours per week
VAT10%
Probation periodUp to 119 days
Paid leave days6 days per year
Categories

Hiring guide

Thailand offers competitive hiring opportunities in Asia, with strong legal frameworks and attractive labour costs. Employers should be aware of specific national rules on employment contracts, taxation, and statutory benefits.

Discover more about salaries, employment costs, and legal requirements for hiring in Thailand. Get the full hiring guide now!

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Employment contracts

Employment contracts in Thailand can be verbal or written, though written contracts are recommended. They should clearly define the job scope, salary, working hours, probation terms, and benefits.

Notice periods: At least 1 month.

Termination of employment: Allowed under mutual agreement, resignation, or justified dismissal. Severance pay may apply.

Want to get all the details of employment contracts in Thailand? Get our full template now!

Employee benefits

Thai labour law mandates a set of statutory benefits that employers must offer, along with additional perks to stay competitive.

  • Mandatory benefits: Social security (Covers healthcare, pensions, and unemployment benefits), severance pay, etc.
  • Common perks: Additional leave, health and wellness, bonuses, flexible working hours, professional development, transportation allowances, and meal allowances.
  • Leave policies: Annual leave, sick leave, maternity leave, public holidays, and necessary business leave.

Want a full breakdown of all the employee benefits available in Thailand?

Taxes

Thailand applies taxes to both individual employees and employers. Employers are responsible for withholding income tax and submitting both employee and employer contributions.

  • Personal income tax: In Thailand, Personal Income Tax (PIT) is applied on a progressive scale from 0% to 35%, depending on income level. The lowest band, up to THB 150,000, is tax-free, with rates gradually increasing for higher income brackets. Taxable income over THB 5 million is taxed at the highest rate of 35%. Individuals can reduce their taxable income through deductions and allowances, including personal and dependent allowances, as well as social security contributions.
  • Social security contributions: Both employers and employees contribute to the Social Security Fund, typically at a rate of 5% of the employee's salary, capped at a certain amount.
  • Corporate income tax: Employers must pay corporate income tax on their profits, generally at a rate of 20%.

Payroll

Thai employers must follow labour laws on payment schedules and payroll documentation. While there’s flexibility in how often salaries are paid, clear written agreements are crucial.

Salary payment deadline: No fixed legal date, based on contract agreement

Taxes and contributions payment deadline: By the 15th of the following month

Payroll declarations deadline: Payslips must be issued after each salary payment

Payroll currency: Thai Baht (THB)

EOR services

EOR services in Thailand enable you to legally employ individuals in the country without opening legal entities. Your EOR will take over all the legal responsibilities as an official employer, including:

  • Legal employment and contracts
  • Payroll processing
  • Tax withholding
  • Benefits administration
  • Onboarding/offboarding employees

PEO services

PEO services in Thailand provide HR and administrative support, while you remain the legal employer for your team. They are ideal for employers who already have legal entities in Thailand but need support to manage their workforce operations, including:

  • HR support and workforce administration
  • Payroll and benefits management
  • Compliance and local labour law guidance
  • Employment contracts assistance

Payroll calculator

Native Teams’ payroll calculators are adjusted to 85+ countries’ local labour laws, including Thailand. Using our calculator, you can easily estimate net and gross salaries, employer/employee contributions, and other mandatory deductions in the country.

Note: The information provided above is for general guidance only and should not be considered a substitute for legal advice. We strongly recommend consulting with qualified professionals who specialise in local labour laws before making any hiring decisions. While the data was accurate at the time of writing, labour regulations are subject to change, and it is your responsibility to stay informed about the latest developments.

Last update: August 11, 2025

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Frequently asked questions

When working with gig workers or freelancers in Thailand, it’s important to define the relationship clearly to avoid misclassification. Freelancers are considered self-employed and manage their own taxes and social security contributions. They typically work under a service contract rather than an employment contract.

Employers must avoid exercising control similar to that of a traditional employee, such as setting fixed working hours or integrating freelancers into their internal team structures.