Report Thailand Considers Extending Maternity Leave to 180 Days

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Thailand is contemplating a significant policy shift aimed at addressing its declining birth rate. Kritsada Theerakosonphong, from Thammasat University, has thrown his support behind a proposal to extend the country’s maternity leave from the current 98 days to 180 days. This move, he asserts, would align with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) guidelines and could serve as a crucial step towards rejuvenating the nation’s ageing demographic.

 

Currently, Thai law allows for 98 days of maternity leave. However, this is under review, with the Senate considering a bill to increase this allowance to 120 days. Despite this potential increase, Kritsada argues that this still falls short of the WHO's recommendations and the civil sector’s preferred 180 days.

 

The WHO, under the International Labour Organisation's conventions, advocates for a minimum maternity leave of 14 weeks and ideally suggests extending it to at least 18 weeks, which echoes the proposal for 180 days. This initiative is part of broader efforts to equip families with better welfare, encouraging more women to start families amidst concerns over an ageing population and a shrinking workforce.

 

Since 2012, the number of childbirth claims under Thailand's Social Security scheme has dropped from over 300,000 to 220,000 in the previous year—a significant decline of 26%. This decrease suggests potential long-term impacts on the country’s labour market and economic vitality.

 

“Increasing privileges and welfare would give women more confidence to start a family,” Kritsada explained. He highlights that focusing on maternity leave is just one aspect of a suite of childcare-related policies essential for reversing the current trend.

 

He further elaborated that extending maternity leave is a step towards a more supportive environment for families. By enhancing welfare, society can alleviate some of the pressures that come with parenthood, potentially easing the decision for women to have more children.

 

However, the path to such legislative changes is laden with potential obstacles. Even if the Senate approves the draft to increase maternity leave to 120 days, it will need to overcome various political challenges, including possible disruptions like a house dissolution.

 

This conversation about maternity leave takes place amid the wider backdrop of Thailand's demographic challenges. As the country grapples with an ageing population, the imperative to find sustainable solutions becomes increasingly urgent. Expanding maternity leave could be a pivotal component of a broader strategy to revitalise the workforce and stimulate population growth.

 

While public sentiment appears supportive of enhanced family welfare, the practicalities of implementing such changes require thorough consideration and consensus among lawmakers and stakeholders. The proposed reforms come at a time when many other nations are similarly re-evaluating their family policies in light of shifting demographic trends.

 

In conclusion, as Thailand continues to explore measures to address its falling birth rate, the discussion around maternity leave serves as an essential element of a multifaceted approach. By deliberating such policies, Thailand not only aims to align itself with international norms but also seeks to foster a more family-friendly society capable of sustaining its future growth and development.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-08-13

 

[chawbdurian]

Those 180 days didn't increase birth rates in the West and they won't it in Thailand either. There's only one way to fix this and you're not allowed to talk about it. 

[Ralf001]

Fark me.. next they will be wanting to raise paternity leave from the current 6 days to 90 !

 

Hiring day labour staff certainly does have its upsides.

 

When did maternity leave rasie from 90 days to 98 ?