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Benefits and Compensation in Thailand
A competitive package in Thailand combines the statutory social security scheme with the benefits employers commonly add—such as a provident fund, annual bonus, private health cover, and everyday allowances—to attract and keep skilled talent.

Mandatory Employee Benefits in Thailand

The core statutory benefit in Thailand is the Social Security Fund (SSF), administered by the Social Security Office (SSO) under the Social Security Act. Every employer with one or more employees must register staff and remit monthly contributions. Both the employer and the employee contribute 5% of the employee's monthly wage, calculated on a wage base capped at THB 17,500 per month—so the maximum contribution is THB 875 per month from each party. Contributions must be filed and paid by the 15th of the following month.
Contribution
Rate (each party)
Monthly maximum
Social Security Fund – employer
5% of wages
THB 875
Social Security Fund – employee
5% of wages
THB 875
Wage base (cap)
THB 17,500 / month
Contribution
Social Security Fund – employer
Rate (each party)
5% of wages
Monthly maximum
THB 875
Contribution
Social Security Fund – employee
Rate (each party)
5% of wages
Monthly maximum
THB 875
Contribution
Wage base (cap)
Rate (each party)
THB 17,500 / month
Monthly maximum

Workmen's Compensation Fund

Separately from the SSF, employers must fund the Workmen's Compensation Fund (WCF) in full—employees do not contribute. The WCF covers work-related injury, illness, disability, or death, with the annual employer contribution rate set by industry risk (roughly 0.2%–1.0% of payroll, subject to the wage cap).

Employee Welfare Fund (from October 2026)

A mandatory Employee Welfare Fund (EWF) is being rolled out for employers with 10 or more staff. From 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2031, both employer and employee contribute 0.25% of wages (rising to 0.5% from October 2031). Employers that already provide an equivalent scheme, such as a registered provident fund covering all employees, may be exempt.

What the Social Security Fund Covers

In return for the 5% contribution, insured employees (Section 33) receive seven categories of benefits. The commonly cited split of the contribution directs about 1.5% to sickness, maternity, invalidity, and death benefits, 3% to child allowance and the old-age pension, and 0.5% to unemployment. The main entitlements are summarised below.
Benefit
What the insured employee receives
Healthcare (sickness)
Free treatment for non-work illness and injury at the registered SSO hospital, including outpatient and inpatient care.
Maternity
Lump-sum childbirth grant of THB 15,000 per delivery, plus 50% of wages for 90 days of maternity leave (limited to two pregnancies).
Invalidity / disability
Monthly disability pension (up to 50% of wages) plus medical care for non-work disabilities, for the qualifying period.
Death
Funeral grant (at least 50,000 THB) plus a survivors' lump sum based on contribution history.
Child allowance
Around THB 1,000 per child per month, for up to three children aged under six.
Old-age pension
From age 55 with at least 180 months of contributions: a monthly pension of at least 20% of average wages (or a lump sum for shorter records).
Unemployment
50% of wages for up to 180 days if laid off; 30% for up to 90 days if the employee resigns (requires 6 months' contributions in the prior 15).
Benefit
What the insured employee receives
Healthcare (sickness)
Free treatment for non-work illness and injury at the registered SSO hospital, including outpatient and inpatient care.
Maternity
Lump-sum childbirth grant of THB 15,000 per delivery, plus 50% of wages for 90 days of maternity leave (limited to two pregnancies).
Invalidity / disability
Monthly disability pension (up to 50% of wages) plus medical care for non-work disabilities, for the qualifying period.
Death
Funeral grant (at least 50,000 THB) plus a survivors' lump sum based on contribution history.
Child allowance
Around THB 1,000 per child per month, for up to three children aged under six.
Old-age pension
From age 55 with at least 180 months of contributions: a monthly pension of at least 20% of average wages (or a lump sum for shorter records).
Unemployment
50% of wages for up to 180 days if laid off; 30% for up to 90 days if the employee resigns (requires 6 months' contributions in the prior 15).

13th-Month Pay & Bonuses

Thailand has no statutory 13th-month salary, but an annual bonus is a strong market norm and a key factor in attracting talent. Many employers pay a discretionary year-end bonus, often around one month's salary, though the amount varies widely with company and individual performance.

Annual & Performance Bonuses

Year-end (New Year) bonuses are the most common form, frequently ranging from one to a few months' salary in strong years. Performance-linked bonuses tied to individual KPIs or company results are increasingly used in technology, finance, and multinational firms to reward and retain high performers. Because bonuses are customary rather than statutory, the terms should be documented clearly in the employment contract or company policy.

Provident Fund

A provident fund is a voluntary, tax-advantaged retirement savings scheme registered under the Provident Fund Act B.E. 2530. It is one of the most valued supplementary benefits in Thailand, though only a portion of private employers offer one. Both employer and employee contribute a matched percentage of salary—by law between 2% and 15%—into a fund managed by a licensed asset manager, with the employer's portion vesting according to the fund rules.
A common starting arrangement is a 3%–5% matched contribution from each side, increasing with an employee's length of service. Employer contributions and investment returns are tax-exempt within legal limits, making the provident fund an efficient way to boost total reward.

Supplementary Benefits & Allowances

Beyond the statutory minimum, employers commonly enhance packages with the following non-mandatory benefits to stay competitive in the Thai market.

Private Health Insurance

Because SSF healthcare is tied to a single registered hospital, most mid-sized and larger employers add private medical insurance so staff can access private hospitals, wider outpatient cover, and sometimes dental and optical care. Group life and accident cover are frequently bundled in, and cover may extend to dependents for senior roles.

Transport, Meal & Housing Allowances

Cash allowances are a standard part of many Thai packages. Common examples include a transport or travel allowance, a daily meal allowance, and—especially for relocated or senior staff—a housing or accommodation allowance. Some employers also provide a mobile phone or communication allowance.

Additional Leave & Flexible Working

Employers often grant annual leave above the statutory 6 days (commonly 10–15 days), and increasingly offer hybrid or flexible working arrangements—particularly in technology and multinational companies—as a low-cost, high-value retention tool.

Learning & Development

Training budgets, certification sponsorship, and language courses are popular perks that support career growth and help employers retain skilled professionals in a competitive hiring market.

Paid Leave, Holidays & Minimum Wage Context

Statutory paid time off and the province-based minimum wage form the baseline that every compensation package must sit above. The key statutory reference points are summarised below (see the Employment Law page for full detail).
Item
Statutory minimum
Annual (vacation) leave
At least 6 working days after 1 year of service
Sick leave
Up to 30 paid days per year at normal wage
Maternity leave
Up to 120 days (employer pays first 60; SSF pays 50% for up to 60 more)
Public holidays
At least 13 paid public holidays per year
Minimum wage
Province-based daily rate, roughly THB 337–400 per day (Bangkok at the top of the band)
Item
Statutory minimum
Annual (vacation) leave
At least 6 working days after 1 year of service
Sick leave
Up to 30 paid days per year at normal wage
Maternity leave
Up to 120 days (employer pays first 60; SSF pays 50% for up to 60 more)
Public holidays
At least 13 paid public holidays per year
Minimum wage
Province-based daily rate, roughly THB 337–400 per day (Bangkok at the top of the band)

Conclusion

Ensure your compensation and benefits packages in Thailand are competitive, compliant, and aligned with local expectations. With Glints as your partner, you gain regional expertise that keeps your offerings attractive to top talent while adhering to Thailand's social security and labour regulations. Book a call with our team to explore how we can support your compensation and benefits strategy for a stronger, more compliant workforce in Thailand.

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