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Is there a minimum salary requirement for foreigners working in Thailand, and how is it enforced?

ThailandForeignersWork PermitMinimum SalaryVisa RegulationsBOI RegulationsTeaching Jobs
Apr 25, 2023
2 years ago
Henning **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I've once heard that there is a law that says that foreigners working for a Thai company have to be paid not less than 45k baht. Is that actually true and is that law enforced in any way? Not saying that i would work for any less than that, just like to know. TIA
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Yes, there is a law regarding minimum salary for foreigners working in Thailand, which varies by nationality. For example, Americans must earn at least 50,000 baht per month, while other Westerners may need to earn around 54,000 baht. On the other hand, individuals from certain Asian countries may have a lower minimum salary requirement of around 26,000 baht. Enforcement of these rules can be inconsistent, especially in teaching professions which may be exempted. Additionally, companies registered under the Board of Investment (BOI) may have different salary stipulations.
Marc *********
You can earn less but you still pay tax and social security based on the minimum salary
2 years ago
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John *********
Hope this assists
2 years ago
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Henning **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ********
 definitely does, thanks a lot!
2 years ago
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Henning **********
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John *********
2 years ago
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Viki **********
@John ********
 Do you what countries would be covered under Eastern Europe? I'm from Hungary.
2 years ago
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John *********
@Viki *********
 I might be wrong, but I believe Hungary would be covered by Eastern Europe might be advisable to speak with the revenue department just in case
2 years ago
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John *********
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เจสัน ******
@John ********
 Thanks John.
2 years ago
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เจสัน ******
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Al **********
It can be less, if the company is registered at the BOI
2 years ago
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Todd *********
Yeah nobody in Thailand follows this rule most teachers and other jobs don't even get close to that
2 years ago
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Stephen ******
@Todd ********
 last I checked the teaching profession was exempted.
2 years ago
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Stephen ******
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Martin *********
I take it that's per day?
2 years ago
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Henning **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Martin ********
 what's per day? A foreigner per day? A Thailand per day? A work permit per day?
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Martin ********
 what??
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
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Оливер *********
It depends which nationality the farang is. Westerners have higher min wage (
*****
thb) then, let's say, people from south and east Asian countries (
*****
thb). It really depends on nationality.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Оливер ********
I thought it was 25K for Africans, Indians and some poorer Asian nationalities. 35K for Greeks, 45K for Malaysians, 50K for westerners and Singaporeans and 60K for Japanese and Americans.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
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Brandon ************
There is a law in regards to how much salary foreigners have to earn each month. But the amount is different depending on what nationality you are. For example Americans must earn a minimum of 50,000 baht per month or they are not eligible for a work permit or non-B visa/extension.
2 years ago
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Wilhelmina ********
For teachers and some occupations, those salary thingies don't apply.
2 years ago
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Steve ********
@Brandon ***********
 Just did a Google on this (yes I know I should have done it before asking the question 😃) and from this article it appears certain teachers are exempt from the minimum requirement

************************************************************************************
2 years ago
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Steve ********
@Brandon ***********
 Isn't it 40,000 for teachers?
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Steve *******
 no clue about special rules for teachers
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
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Henning **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 and is that controlled? For example would you be refused getting a work permit if your contract stated less than the required amount?
2 years ago
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Leo ******
@Henning *********
 Why would you want to work for less than 50k a month...
2 years ago
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Henning **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Leo *****
 did you read the post?
2 years ago
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Henning **********
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Christopher ******
@Henning *********
 I could be wrong here, but they don’t actually check how much is sent to the employee bank account they just have to declare and pay taxes on that salary level. When I owned a company here, that’s how it worked for me, taxes (and accounting fee lol) each month but I only actually sent myself money when it was convenient.
2 years ago
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John *************
@Christopher *****
 yes. But the stated amount is checked at immigration. The rest are just accounting moves.
2 years ago
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Christopher ******
@John ************
 of course, but cash movement isn’t checked as long you pay monthly tax on salary declared, and you can run a retained earnings loss but I’m not a Thai accountant so don’t follow this as advice!
2 years ago
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John *************
@Christopher *****
 555
2 years ago
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John *************
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Henning **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks for the quick answer! Do you by any chance know the minimum wage for German citizens? I assume it would be similar if not the same amount as for US citizens...
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Henning *********
 Western European countries are also 50,000
2 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@Henning *********
 Western Europe is also 50k baht.
2 years ago
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Henning **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Garrett **********
 thank you
2 years ago
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Henning **********
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Andy *******
@Henning *********
 controlled.
2 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@Henning *********
 Yes, the ministry of labor enforces minimum wage requirements for foriegners.

Also, the minimum wage does not apply to teaching positions.
2 years ago
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Garrett ***********
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