eNewsletter

Thailand’s Ministry of Labour (MOL) proposed increases to the daily minimum wage in all of Thailand’s provinces. The country’s Cabinet approved the proposal on December 14, 2010. As of January 1, 2010, the daily minimum wages were increased by an average of 11 baht (USD $0.36). Each province has its own daily minimum wage.

Bangkok’s daily minimum wage rose from 206 baht (USD $6.75) to 215 baht (USD $7.05), and Phuket’s daily minimum wage rose from 204 baht (USD $6.69) to 221 baht (USD $7.24).

The Ministry of Labour has recently calculated the actual cost of living in most parts of Thailand to be 228 baht (USD $7.47) per day. The cost of living is significantly higher than the daily minimums in most provinces. Furthermore, the inflation rate has risen more than the daily minimum wage increase rate in 10 of the last 13 years in Thailand. Thus, inflation has also made it more difficult for workers earning minimum wage.

For the full list of new minimum wages: http://www.mol.go.th/en/anonymouse/news/12954