Easily Hire, Manage, and Pay Your Employees in Thailand
RecruitGo's Employer of Record service in Thailand enables employers to hire top Thai talent quickly and compliantly — without the cost and delay of setting up a local entity. You focus on growth; we handle social security, PIT, and Labour Protection Act compliance.
Why Foreign Companies Hire in Thailand
Thailand is Southeast Asia's second-largest economy and a global manufacturing hub, hosting major operations for Toyota, Samsung, Ford, and hundreds of multinationals. The country offers world-class infrastructure, a strategic ASEAN location, and a deep pool of skilled workers in engineering, manufacturing, finance, and increasingly in software and digital marketing.
For foreign companies, Thailand offers salary costs 40-55% lower than Singapore or Hong Kong, strong BOI incentive programs, established supply chains, a growing Bangkok tech ecosystem, and one of the region's most developed logistics networks. The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) offers additional tax incentives for target industries.
How RecruitGo Helps You Hire in Thailand
Whether you need to hire without a local entity, run payroll, manage benefits, or sponsor work permits, RecruitGo has a service for each stage.
Employer of Record (EOR)
Hire employees in Thailand without registering a Thai company. RecruitGo handles contracts, Social Security, PIT withholding, and full LPA compliance.
Payroll Service
Already have a Thai entity? We process monthly payroll in THB, calculate PIT, remit Social Security, manage provident fund reporting, and handle year-end filing.
Employee Benefits
Design benefit packages that meet Thai statutory requirements and compete for top talent.
Visa and Work Permits
Foreign nationals working in Thailand need a work permit from the Ministry of Labour and a Non-Immigrant B visa.
Thailand Employment Snapshot
Essentials of hiring employees in Thailand.
| Currency | Thai Baht (THB) |
| Minimum wage (2025) | Bangkok: THB 400/day (~USD 11.50 from Jul 2025). Lowest provinces: THB 337/day |
| Working hours | 8 hrs/day, 48 hrs/week. Hazardous: 7 hrs/day, 42 hrs/week |
| Overtime | 1.5x normal, 3x holidays. Max 36 hrs/week. Employee consent required |
| Probation | Up to 119 days (to avoid severance at 120 days). Not separately regulated |
| Contract types | Indefinite-term (common), fixed-term (specific projects/seasonal) |
| Annual leave | 6 days min after 1 year. Most offer 10-15 days |
| Sick leave | 30 paid days/year. Medical cert required for 3+ consecutive days |
| Maternity leave | 120 days (LPA 2025). Employer pays 60 days full salary. SSF covers rest |
| Paternity leave | 15 days fully paid (LPA 2025). Within 90 days of birth |
| Social Security | Employer 5% + Employee 5%. Ceiling: THB 17,500/mo from Jan 2026 |
| Income tax (PIT) | Progressive: 0% (up to THB 150K) to 35% (above THB 5M) |
| Severance | 30-400 days based on tenure (120 days to 20+ years) |
| Public holidays | 13 mandatory paid holidays per year |
| Language | Contracts should be in Thai. Bilingual (Thai/English) standard |
How to Hire in Thailand as a Foreign Company
Three main options depending on timeline, headcount, and BOI qualification.
| EOR (RecruitGo) | Thai Co., Ltd. | Contractor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time to first hire | 3-5 business days | 4-8 weeks (DBD) | Immediate |
| Setup cost | None | THB 50K-200K+ plus capital | None |
| Compliance | RecruitGo | You | Contractor's responsibility |
| Social Security | Handled by RecruitGo | Your responsibility | N/A |
| Foreign worker ratio | N/A (our entity) | 4 Thai per 1 foreign | N/A |
| Ideal for | 1-15 employees, testing | 15+, manufacturing, BOI | True project work |
The 4:1 ratio rule: Thai law requires at least 4 Thai employees per 1 foreign worker with a work permit. BOI-promoted companies may get exemptions. Through EOR, RecruitGo's entity already meets this requirement.
BOI promotion: Qualifying companies get corporate tax holidays (up to 13 years), 4:1 ratio exemptions, fast-track work permits, and land ownership rights. Application takes 2-4 months. EOR is often used as a bridge while BOI applications are in progress.
Key Employment Rules in Thailand
Social Security Fund (SSF)
Employer and employee each pay 5% of wages. Ceiling: THB 17,500/mo from Jan 2026 (was THB 15,000). Max contribution: THB 875/party. Phases: THB 20,000 (2029), THB 23,000 (2032). Covers sickness, maternity, disability, death, pension, unemployment. Remit by 15th of following month.
LPA Amendment 2025 (effective Dec 7, 2025)
Maternity leave: 98 → 120 days, employer pays 60 days (was 45). Paternity leave: 15 days fully paid (new). Menstrual leave: 1 day/cycle (new). Infant-care leave: 15 days at 50% for health complications. Employers with 10+ staff must submit annual employment conditions reports.
Leave entitlements
6 days annual leave (min after 1 year, most offer 10-15). 30 days sick leave at full pay. 3 days personal leave (common practice). 13 mandatory public holidays. Buddhist and royal holidays observed; weekend holidays get Monday substitute.
Termination and severance
One of ASEAN's most structured severance systems: 30 days (120d-1yr), 90 days (1-3yr), 180 days (3-6yr), 240 days (6-10yr), 300 days (10-20yr), 400 days (20+ yr). Notice: one pay cycle (typically 30 days). No severance for just cause. Labour Court is employee-friendly.
Foreign worker requirements
Non-Immigrant B visa + work permit from Ministry of Labour. 4:1 Thai-to-foreign ratio. Processing: 4-8 weeks. BOI companies get fast-track. LTR visa (2022): 10-year visa with work permit for qualified professionals, remote workers, high-net-worth individuals. Some professions restricted to Thai nationals.
What It Costs to Employ Someone in Thailand
Total employer cost is typically 108-115% of gross — one of the lightest in ASEAN. Primary statutory cost is 5% SSF capped at THB 875/month from 2026.
| Component | Monthly (THB) | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Gross salary | 35,000 | — |
| Social Security (employer) | 875 | 5% (capped THB 17,500 from 2026) |
| Provident fund (if offered) | ~1,050-1,750 | 3-5% (voluntary but common) |
| Total (with PVD) | ~36,925-37,625 | ~105-108% |
SSF capped at THB 17,500 from Jan 2026. Provident fund voluntary but expected in professional roles. Most employers also offer private health insurance (THB 5K-20K/mo) and annual bonuses (1-3 months). EOR fee not included.
Common Questions
What companies ask most about hiring in Thailand.
Yes, through an EOR. RecruitGo is a locally registered Thai company that legally employs workers on your behalf. We handle contracts, Social Security, PIT, and LPA compliance. Hire in 3-5 days without registering an entity or meeting the 4:1 ratio.
Employer and employee each pay 5%. Ceiling: THB 17,500/mo from Jan 2026 (max THB 875/party). Phases: THB 20,000 (2029), THB 23,000 (2032). Covers sickness, maternity, disability, death, pension, unemployment.
Effective Dec 2025: maternity 98→120 days (employer pays 60), paternity 15 days (new), menstrual leave 1 day/cycle (new), infant-care 15 days at 50%. Employers with 10+ staff must file annual conditions reports.
Mandatory for termination without just cause: 30 days (120d-1yr) up to 400 days (20+ yr). No severance for just cause (dishonesty, criminal, intentional damage). Labour Court is employee-friendly.
4 Thai employees per 1 foreign work permit holder. BOI-promoted companies may get exemptions. Through EOR, the ratio is managed by RecruitGo's entity. Some positions reserved for Thai nationals.
Bangkok: THB 400/day from Jul 2025. Other provinces: THB 337-400. No statutory monthly minimum — typically daily rate x 26 or 30. Professional roles: THB 20K-80K+/month.
3-5 business days including contract, Social Security registration, PIT setup, onboarding. Own Thai company: 4-8 weeks for DBD registration, tax, SSF enrollment.
