Happy New Year For Workers: Thailand To Raise Minimum Wage From January

There’s good news for workers in Thailand, a Southeast Asian country. It is really a happy new year for Thai workers. Thailand will raise its minimum wage in January 2024. Srettha Thavisin, the Prime Minister of Thailand, has confirmed the government plans to raise the minimum wage for workers.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said that Thailand would increase its minimum wage in January. On Tuesday, the prime minister confirmed the previous deal to raise the minimum wage. The Thai government also planned to further raise wages for workers in March.

What to expect?

The current minimum wage is 328-354 baht for Thai workers. The wage varies between different parts of Thailand. A wage committee, composed of government, employers and employee representatives, has agreed to raise the pay threshold to 330 baht to 370 baht.

Previously, the committee agreed to increase the daily minimum wage by 2.37%, effective in January 2024. However, the Thai Prime Minister deemed the hike too low. The Prime Minister campaigned the daily minimum wage to 400 baht. 

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Phipat Ratchakitprakarn, the Minister of Labour of Thailand, said, “Another investigation covering local wage rates and professional groups will conclude in March … (to determine) areas and groups that can increase wages.”

Last October, the minimum wage was increased by 5.02 per cent. The authorities reviewed a proposal to increase the average daily minimum wage by 2.37% and sought a larger increase instead.

Thailand’s Prime Minister aims to rejuvenate the country’s economy. The prime minister is already expecting investments from tech companies like Google, Microsoft and Tesla.

Previously, he also met tech billionaire Elon Musk in order to receive investments from Tesla. He also held meetings with Google, Microsoft and Tesla executives to talk about investment opportunities. 

In September, the Prime Minister pledged to donate all his monthly salaries to various foundations across the country, including the Foundation for Children.