Thailand’s minimum wage is expected to be increased to 400 baht/day, tentatively from January 1, according to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.
He said that the increase should, however, be in line with economic growth, forecast at about 5% next year, after the government has rolled out several measures to stimulate the economy, including cuts in electricity and fuel prices.
He said that the minimum wage increase is a short-term measure, to which his government has given priority, in addition to energy price cuts, adding that he has already held discussions with business and industrial leaders and presented the government’s economic roadmap for boosting exports and income.
During the election campaign, the Pheu Thai party pledged to increase the minimum wage to 600 baht/day during the government’s term in the office, among multiple other populist policies, such as the “digital wallet” scheme, debt moratoria for farmers and a minimum 25,000 baht salary for BA graduates.
To boost tourism further, after the government’s announcement exempting visa requirements for tourists from China and Kazakhstan, the prime minister is expected to visit India around the end of the year in a bid to improve bilateral relations and to boost tourism.
Speaking about a visa free facility for tourists from India, he said that, currently, there is no problem of visa delays for Indian tourists, but hinted that certain restrictions might be eased, especially for Indian couples who want to get married in Thailand.
