Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

Academics and activists have expressed concern for over 40 million Thai workers facing low wages, unsafe work environments, and insufficient healthcare and social protection. Ahead of the general election, they are urging political parties to prioritize policies that enhance labor protection and fair employment. This initiative was highlighted during an academic forum at Thammasat University, organized by ThaiHealth, Thammasat University, and several civil society groups.

Thailand is experiencing a rapidly ageing workforce, with the current 13 million elderly expected to increase by 32% in the next 20 years. Poranee Pupprasert, assistant manager of ThaiHealth, emphasized that over 20% of informal workers are already aged 60 or older. These demographic shifts underscore the urgent need for comprehensive policy changes that can safeguard the rights and welfare of aging and informal workers.

ThaiHealth and over 50 partner organizations have proposed four key measures to assist workers who currently fall outside labor law protections. These include revising the definition of "employee" to include new work forms, aligning rights and benefits with actual work conditions, expanding health promotion initiatives, and supporting the voluntary extension of working life.

Asst Prof Krissada Teerakosolpong from Thammasat University emphasized that these policy recommendations aim to ensure income stability for workers of all ages. The evolution of economic, technological, and demographic landscapes has outstripped current labor laws, leaving many workers vulnerable to job insecurity and limited bargaining power, reported Bangkok Post.

Key Takeaways

• Over 40 million Thai workers are in low-paid, unsafe jobs lacking protection.

• Proposed measures include redefining "employee" and enhancing worker benefits.

• The ageing workforce is a critical concern, with demographic changes imminent.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2026-01-19

 

 

11 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Academics

They need to get into the real world before trying to get the government to do their bidding.

I am sure the academics are right, but the last decades it were only the people like government workers, police. teachers, other government institutions, and higher ranked businesspeople who can afford the too many holidays.. Thailand does not exist outside Bangkok it seems, as there is be done nothing for elderly, disabled, and low labourers...while the others are getting more and more wealthy, and have no clue what to do with their money anymore except getting more

This is a quote from a Thai friend earlier this week:

The Thai government has never cared about labor.

What are examples of the wages of the poor in LOS? An employee at KFC said she made 32 Baht per hour. This converts to about $1 dollar per hour. An employee at a local 7-11 in CNX said she made 350 Baht per day for an 8 hour day. In either case this is awful.

2 minutes ago, sqwakvfr said:

What are examples of the wages of the poor in LOS? An employee at KFC said she made 32 Baht per hour. This converts to about $1 dollar per hour. An employee at a local 7-11 in CNX said she made 350 Baht per day for an 8 hour day. In either case this is awful.

Talk to a Mall worker. They are there from open to close for about 500 baht per day, and they work six days we week. Keep in mind my sample size is small.

3 minutes ago, TedG said:

500 baht per week

Are you sure your numbers are correct? 500 baht per week, or 2000 baht per month? Did that include free meals and free housing?

I'm guessing the Mall worker was yanking your chain.

1 minute ago, howlee101 said:

Are you sure your numbers are correct? 500 baht per week, or 2000 baht per month? Did that include free meals and free housing?

I'm guessing the Mall worker was yanking your chain.

I fixed it. It’s 500 per day.

17 minutes ago, TedG said:

I fixed it. It’s 500 per day.

And what are the academics paid.

12 minutes ago, GreasyFingers said:

And what are the academics paid.

I have no <deleted> idea.

15 minutes ago, GreasyFingers said:

And what are the academics paid.

Not a lot more I suspect!

13 minutes ago, sqwakvfr said:

What are examples of the wages of the poor in LOS? An employee at KFC said she made 32 Baht per hour. This converts to about $1 dollar per hour. An employee at a local 7-11 in CNX said she made 350 Baht per day for an 8 hour day. In either case this is awful.

The Thai minimum ranges from 337 to 400 baht per day, depending on the region. The 7-11 employee is within that range being it's for an 8 hour day...guessing 10 hrs per day is the norm. The KFC employee, not so much. We pay our cleaning lady (maid) much more than the minimum wage...and probably less stressful job requirements than 7-11 or KFC.

I agree both cases are way too low. I spent a few years working in Saudi...the salaries and living conditions of the OCNs/TCNs were abysmal but the line to get those jobs were long.

47 minutes ago, sqwakvfr said:

What are examples of the wages of the poor in LOS? An employee at KFC said she made 32 Baht per hour. This converts to about $1 dollar per hour. An employee at a local 7-11 in CNX said she made 350 Baht per day for an 8 hour day. In either case this is awful.

Min wage.

But they are both employed so will have access to SS healthcare.

35 minutes ago, TedG said:

I fixed it. It’s 500 per day.

Thanks. But 500 per day is "supposedly" within the Thai minimum wage but 337-400 baht per day...but that amount is "supposed" to be for 8 hours

I did see a job posting at a local McDonalds and my Thai is really limited but I think the highest paid position was for a shift manager or possibly assistant manager and the month pay was 17,000 Baht per month. This seemed rather low for job with managerial responsibilities. Many years ago I knew a girl who said he was a nurse at a local hopsital and she was making 17,000 Baht per month. She was not happy with the pay because she went to nursing school and thought the the pay should be higher. At the time she was working at a private hopsital. Right now cost of living and wages seem to the most important issues for many in the world. Eventually things have to change in LOS as well.

1 minute ago, howlee101 said:

The Thai minimum ranges from 337 to 400 baht per day, depending on the region. The 7-11 employee is within that range being it's for an 8 hour day...guessing 10 hrs per day is the norm.

Thai labor laws specify 8hr day 6 days a week totalling 48hrs.

Over 8 a day is to be paid as overtime.

1 minute ago, Ralf001 said:

Thai labor laws specify 8hr day 6 days a week totalling 48hrs.

Over 8 a day is to be paid as overtime.

Not disagreeing but I doubt many businesses adhere to the overtime rule. Guessing if the employee complains, they will be fired

26 minutes ago, howlee101 said:

Not disagreeing but I doubt many businesses adhere to the overtime rule. Guessing if the employee complains, they will be fired

If the employee is being forced to work past the stipulated 8hr at normal rate, complains and gets fired.

Thai Labor lawyers will have a field day with the company, Unions too if there they have a footprint withing the employee group.

People also need to understand, there is a 1hr lunch break (unpaid) and typically 2 x 15 min breaks (paid) each day which bloats the total "Work" day to 9.5hrs.

If the employee is working overtime, there is a stipulated 30 mins break (paid) at the end of the 8 hrs worked.

1 hour ago, sqwakvfr said:

I did see a job posting at a local McDonalds and my Thai is really limited but I think the highest paid position was for a shift manager or possibly assistant manager and the month pay was 17,000 Baht per month. This seemed rather low for job with managerial responsibilities. Many years ago I knew a girl who said he was a nurse at a local hopsital and she was making 17,000 Baht per month. She was not happy with the pay because she went to nursing school and thought the the pay should be higher. At the time she was working at a private hopsital. Right now cost of living and wages seem to the most important issues for many in the world. Eventually things have to change in LOS as well.

My wife's niece is a nurse at a government hospital and gets about 35000 baht /month, and seems to get plenty of time off, been qualified for 4-5 years now.

I have heard that private hospitals pay better than government ones, but it seems not to be the case here.

Millions of Thai Workers Struggle with Low Wages

And then to add to their burdens, the Thai government imposes more taxes.