Latest Law update at January 2025
The minimum wage rates for 2025, Emergency Decree on Top-up Tax, The Employee Welfare Fund, will
be affected on October 1, 2025., Service Fees from Job Seekers
New Law Update
Topic 1. Latest Law Update
| No. | Issuing Authority | Subject | Announcement date | Effective date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Revenue Department | Notification of Revenue department Calculation of the Value or Price of Foreign Currency into Thai Currency | 2 Jan 2025 | 2 Jan 2025 |
| 2 | Revenue Department | Notification of the Director-General of the Revenue on Income Tax (No. 454) Re: Stipulation of Criteria, Methods, and Conditions for Income Tax Exemption for Income Paid as Investments in Units of Thai Mutual Funds for Sustainability | 2 Jan 2025 | 2 Jan 2025 |
| 3 | Revenue Department | Ministerial regulation No.397 Regarding Tax Exemption Measures:Easy E-Receipt 2.0 | 7 Jan 2025 | Between 16 Jan 2025 – 28 Feb 2025 |
| 4 | Revenue Department | Notification of the Director-General of the Revenue Stipulation of Criteria, Methods, and Conditions for Income Tax Exemption for Income Paid as Expenses for Purchasing Goods or Services | 14 Jan 2024 | 16 Jan 2025 |
| 5 | Revenue Department | Notification of the Ministry of Finance Designation of Organizations, Public Charities, Medical Institutions, and Educational Institutions, etc. “(1037) Chongjint Chatralekawanich Foundation” | 16 Dec 2024 | For Assessable income years 2024 or income enterprenuer for Dec 2024 |
| 6 | Board of Investment | Notification of the Board of Investment No. Por 11/2567 Amendment of the attached documents to the announcement of criteria and methods for inspecting investment-promoted projects that intend to apply for the rights and benefits of corporate income tax exemption for licensed accountants auditor | 20 Dec 2024 | 20 Dec 2024 |
| 7 | Board of Investment | Notification of the Board of Investment No. Por 12/2567 Invite the private sector to help inspect raw materials that are lost during production or raw materials are not good quality. | 20 Dec 2024 | 20 Dec 2024 |
| 8 | Board of Investment | Notification of the Board of Investment No. Por 13/2567 The authorized legal entity screens the applications for permission to enter the Kingdom and work permits of foreign experts. | 20 Dec 2024 | 20 Dec 2024 |
| 9 | Board of Investment | Notification of the Board of Investment No. Por 1/2568 Criteria and procedures for requesting investment promotion for solar power generation system installation projects under the measures to improve the efficiency of renewable energy use via electronic systems | 2 Jan 2025 | 2 Jan 2025 |
| 10 | Board of Investment | Prime Minister’s order No. 1/2568 Amendment to the appointment order of the National Semiconductor and Advanced Electronics Industry Policy Committee | 2 Jan 2025 | 2 Jan 2025 |
| 11 | Ministry of Public Health | Notification of Ministry of Public Health Request and Disbursement of Compensation and Other Necessary Expenses for Dispute Mediation, 2024 | 27 Dec 2024 | 28 Dec 2024 |
| 12 | Ministry of Public Health | Announcement of the Ministry of Public Health on Designation of Agencies for Dispute Mediation under the Dispute Mediation Act B.E. 2562 (2019), B.E. 2567 (2024) | 27 Dec 2024 | 28 Dec 2024 |
| 13 | Ministry of Public Health | Announcement of the Ministry of Public Health on Submission of Dispute Mediation Requests, Details of the Requests, and the Timeframe for Considering Dispute Mediation Requests B.E. 2567 (2024) | 27 Dec 2024 | 28 Dec 2024 |
| 14 | Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Interior | Notification of PDPA committee on Exemption from the Requirement to Create and Maintain Records of Processing Activities for Small Business Data Processors B.E. 2567 (2024) | 9 Jan 2025 | 1 Jan 2025 |
| 15 | Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (PDPA Committee) | Notification of PDPA committee on Exemption from the Requirement to Record Activities of Personal Data Controllers for Small Business B.E. 2567 (2024) | 26 Dec 2024 | 9 Jan 2025 |
| 16 | Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (PDPA Committee) | Notification of PDPA committee on Exemption from the Requirement to Record Activities of Personal Data Controllers for Small Business B.E. 2567 (2024) | 26 Dec 2024 | 7 Apr 2025 |
Interesting News
1. The minimum wage rates for 2025
According to the Wage Committee’s announcement regarding the Minimum Wage Rate (Version 13), which will take effect from January 1, 2025, the minimum wage standard is being adjusted to align with the current economic conditions and cost of living. For the year 2025, the minimum wage has been increased by 7 to 55 baht per day (averaging 2.9%). This increase is divided into 17 rates, with details provided as follows.
Increase to 400 Baht
| Province | Wage rate before increase (Baht) |
|---|---|
| Chachoengsao | 350 |
| Chonburi | 361 |
| Phuket | 370 |
| Rayong | 361 |
| Suratthani (Only Koh Samui District) | 345 |
Increase to 380 Baht
| Province | Wage rate before increase (Baht) |
|---|---|
| Chiang Mai (Only Muang Chiang Mai District) | 350 |
| Song khla (Only Hat Yai District) | 345 |
Increase to 372 Baht
| Province | Wage rate before increase (Baht) |
|---|---|
| Bangkok | 363 |
| Nakhon Pathom | 363 |
| Nonthaburi | 363 |
| Pathum thani | 363 |
| Samut Prakan | 363 |
| Samut Sakorn | 363 |
Increase to 359 Baht
| Province | Wage rate before increase (Baht) |
|---|---|
| Nakhon Ratchasima | 352 |
Increase to 358 Baht
| Province | Wage rate before increase (Baht) |
|---|---|
| Samut Songkhram | 351 |
Increase to 357 Baht
| Province | Wage rate before increase (Baht) |
|---|---|
| Khon kaen | 350 |
| Chiang mai(Excluded Muang Chiang mai) | 350 |
| Prachinburi | 350 |
| Ayutthaya | 350 |
| Saraburi | 350 |
Increase to 357 Baht
| Province | Wage rate before increase (Baht) |
|---|---|
| Lopburi | 349 |
Increase to 355 Baht
| Province | Wage rate before increase (Baht) |
|---|---|
| Nakhon Nayok | 348 |
| Suphan Buri | 348 |
| Nong Khai | 348 |
Increase to 354 Baht
| Province | Wage rate before increase (Baht) |
|---|---|
| Krabi | 347 |
| Trat | 347 |
2. Emergency Decree on Top-up Tax
Thailand has issued the Emergency Decree on Top-up Tax, B.E. 2567 (2024), which effective on January 1, 2568 (2025). This represents a new approach to tax collection for multinational companies.
Objective
The purpose of this Royal Decree is to enable Thailand to collect taxes from multinational enterprises (MNEs) operating in Thailand. This applies to Thai MNEs investing abroad or foreign MNEs investing in Thailand, provided that the consolidated financial statements of their ultimate parent company show revenues of at least 750 million euros in at least two of the last four fiscal years. Such companies are subject to a global minimum tax rate of 15%.
Impact
Currently, Thailand imposes a corporate income tax rate of 20%. However, companies receiving investment promotion benefits from the Board of Investment (BOI) or those that are exempt from or received reduced tax rates often have an effective tax rate below 15%. These companies will therefore be subject to additional taxation to meet the 15% minimum tax rate.
3. The Employee Welfare Fund, will be affected on October 1, 2025.
How important is the Employee Welfare Fund?
It is a fund established under the Labor Protection Act, B.E. 2541 (1998), based on the principle and foundation of welfare, aimed at helping employees in need during the following situations:
- Loss of employment
- Death
- Other cases as specified by the Employee Welfare Fund Committee.
From October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2030, the contribution rate for both accumulated funds and matching contributions is set at 0.25% for each party. From October 1, 2030, onward, the contribution rate for both accumulated funds and matching contributions will be increased to 0.50% for each party.
If the employer has not established a provident fund or an employee welfare fund, the employer must contribute to the employee welfare fund.
When can employees apply for the Employee Welfare Fund?
If an employee is dismissed and the employer fails to pay compensation, the employee may apply for welfare fund assistance when the labor inspector issues an order for the employer to pay the compensation, and the employer fails to pay within the specified period. This is applicable if the employer does not take the matter to court (after 30 days from the notification of the order).
If the employer delays the payment of wages or other amounts specified under the Labor Protection Act, the employee can apply for the welfare fund when the labor inspector issues an order for the employer to pay, and the employer fails to pay within the specified period.
The application must be made within 1 year from the date the labor inspector issues the order for the employer to pay.
4. Service Fees from Job Seekers
Licensed employment agencies are regulated by law to charge service fees at legally prescribed rates. These can be categorized into two cases:
- 4.1. Domestic Employment Recruiters
Licensed domestic employment recruiters may charge service fees not exceeding 25% of the first month’s wages that the job seeker will receive from the employer.
- 4.2. Overseas Employment Recruiters
Licensed recruiters providing employment services for work abroad have revised their service fee rates to better align with current conditions and circumstances, as follows:Old Regulation New Regulation May charge service fees not exceeding one month’s wages that the job seeker will receive in the first month, and may additionally charge other expenses not exceeding three times the monthly wages to be received. May charge service fees not exceeding one month’s wages that the job seeker will receive in the first month, and may additionally charge other expenses not exceeding two times the monthly wages to be received. There are specific rates for arranging employment in Israel, South Korea, and Taiwan. Repealed None In cases where the employer is responsible for covering the service fees on behalf of the job seeker at the rate specified by law, it shall proceed accordingly. However, if the amount is insufficient, the job seeker is still required to pay the remaining portion of the service fees.
In practice, most recruitment companies in Thailand are not licensed employment recruiters under the law and are therefore not subject to this Ministry of Labour regulation.