Thailand considering hike in minimum wages

This was revealed by Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin, who said that the Office of the Permanent Secretary for the Labour Ministry would conduct the study on the impact of increasing the minimum daily wage.

Labour organisations such as the State Enterprises Workers Relations Confederation (SERC) and the Thai Labour Solidarity Committee (TLSC) have recommended that the rate be set at 492 baht (US$14.9).

According to a TLSC representative Sawit Kaewvarn, his committee and SERC requested the ministry to conduct the study in December last year when the prices of essential consumer goods and food were rising due to severe economic conditions.

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Figures from the Labour Ministry show the current minimum wage varies by province from a low of 313 baht (US$10.0) to 336 baht (US$10.2). According to the data, the minimum wage in Chon Buri is the highest at 336 baht (US$10.2), followed by 331 baht (US$10.0) in Bangkok and 325 baht (US$9.8) in Chiang Mai, according to Bangkok Post.

Minimum wages in the kingdom have risen over the years from 325 baht (US$9.8) in 2018, 331 baht (US$10.0) in 2019 to 336 baht (US$10.2) in 2020, according to Trading Economics.