Out of the total population of 67.01 million people in Thailand, the proportion of the workforce in the capital of Thailand, Bangkok, and the Central region are decreasing since 2010, while the percentage of the Thai workforce in other regions increase. The Northeastern region has the biggest percentage of the workforce in Thailand, a 32%, and the Greater Bangkok metropolitan Region presents the smallest percentage – only 11%. In the last years, the workforce in Thailand was on an increasing trend, from 54.9% of the entire population in 2004 to 56.7% in 2008, resulting from the changes in demography. For more details on the workforce in the country, a Thailand company formation professional can assist you.
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Working as a foreign citizen in Thailand
Foreign citizens are allowed to work in Thailand if they have a valid visa, a work permit and are employed in a position which does not infringe the Alien Employment Act.
If you are a foreign citizen and you want to work and live in the country, you have to comply with the Alien Employment Act of Thailand, which states that you must have a work permit issued by the Department of Employment, Ministry of Labor or unless it qualifies for the exceptions stipulated by the above-mentioned Act.
According to the immigration legislation in Thailand, in order to work or visit the country, foreign citizens have to get the appropriate visa from a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate in their countries of origin, although citizens of certain states can obtain a visa upon arrival in Thailand. For foreign citizens who originate from certain other countries, a visa to enter Thailand is not required at all. Our Thai company formation advisors can provide the exact names of these states.
Working conditions in Thailand
Salaries in Thailand vary depending on the type of position that is occupied and on whether the company pays the employer as an expat or as a local worker. The normal working hours are eight hours a day, with seven hours a day if the work is physically challenging. Workers have a minimum of 13 paid public holidays every year. A worker who has been employed for a minimum of one year must be given at least six days of paid yearly leave per year. Pregnant women have the right of maternity leave of at least 90 days.
Investors and business owners who are interested in other matters can reach out to our team if they have questions about business issues concerning more than just the workforce. Our partner accountants in Thailand also offer solutions for businesses of all sizes and types, tailoring the package to meet the needs of the business (and its number of employees, for payroll and social security purposes). You can reach out to us for more information about our services.
If you are interested in opening a company in Thailand and hiring employees, we invite you to get in touch with our company registration agents in Thailand for guidance.