Thailand’s Wage Committee has decided to increase the national daily minimum wage by 5-6 baht, effective as of January 1^st, subject to approval by the cabinet.

The ฿6 increase will be applied in nine provinces, namely Chon Buri, Phuket, Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Sakhon, Samut Prakan and Prachin Buri.

In all other provinces, the daily minimum wage will be increased by ฿5.

The ten minimum wage levels applicable across the country are:

• Level 1 – ฿336 applicable in Chon Buri and Phuket
• Level 2 – ฿335 applicable in Rayong
• Level 3 – ฿331 applicable in Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan and Samut Sakhon
• Level 4 – ฿330 applicable in Chachoengsao
• Level 5 – ฿325 applicable in 14 provinces namely Krabi, Khon Kaen, Chiang Mai, Trat, Nakhon Ratchasima, Ayutthaya, Phang-nga, Lop Buri, Songkhla, Saraburi, Suphan Buri, Surat Thani, Nong Khai and Ubon Ratchathani
• Level 6 – ฿324 applicable in Prachin Buri
• Level 7 – ฿323 applicable in six provinces namely Kalasin, Chanthaburi, Nakhon Nayok, Mukdahan, Sakhon Nakhon and Samut Songkhram.
• Level 8 – 320 applicable in 21 provinces namely Kanchanaburi, Chai Nat, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Sawan, Nan, Bung Karn, Buri Ram, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phatthalung, Phitsanuloke, Phetchaburi, Phetchabun, Phayao, Yasothon, Roi-et, Loei, Sa Kaew, Surin Ang Thong, Udon Thani and Uttradit
• Level 9 – ฿315 applicable in 22 provinces namely Kamphaeng Phet, Chaiyaphum, Chumpon, Chiang Rai, Trang, Tak, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phichit, Phrae, Maha Sarakham, Mae Hong Son, Ranong, Ratchaburi, Lampang, Lamphun, Si Sa Ket, Satun, Sing Buri, Sukhothai, Nong Bua Lamphu, Uthai Thani and Amnat Charoen.
• Level 10 – ฿313 applicable in Narathiwat, Pattana and Yala

Labour Permanent Secretary Sutthi Sukosol said that the Wage Committee had taken into careful consideration all related factors, including inflation, Thailand’s competitiveness and the impacts on people’s livelihoods.

He said the Commerce Ministry will ensure that the minimum wage increase does not drive “unreasonable” rises in consumer product prices, adding that the Industry and Labour ministries will monitor the labour situation to make sure that the wage rise does not lead to additional job losses.