The national wage committee has announced that a new minimum wage of 400 baht per day for all workers in Bangkok will come into effect on July 1.
The updated rate will also apply to workers in most hotels and entertainment venues across Thailand. Previously, the 400-baht wage was limited to upscale hotels and select tourist provinces.
At present, minimum wages vary across the country. In Bangkok and surrounding provinces, the rate is 372 baht per day, while elsewhere it ranges from 337 to 380 baht.
Only five areas currently implement the 400-baht rate: Phuket, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chachoengsao and Koh Samui.
The decision followed a three-hour meeting on Tuesday, where two-thirds of committee members voted in favour of the increase. Committee chairman Boonsong Thapchaiyut, who also serves as permanent secretary at the Ministry of Labour, confirmed the outcome.
According to Mr. Boonsong, the wage hike will be applied nationwide to certain sectors, particularly two-star hotels and above, those with over 50 rooms, or hotels that have an in-house restaurant.
The new rate will also cover registered entertainment venues under the Service Establishments Act.
Mr. Boonsong noted that several stakeholders believe businesses in the tourism and hospitality industries are better positioned to absorb the wage increase without significant financial strain.
“The wage adjustment begins with the tourism and service sectors where employers are less likely to feel financial pressure,” he said.
Pending cabinet approval, the policy is expected to benefit around 700,000 workers nationwide.
To help mitigate the impact on businesses, the Ministry of Labour has worked with six commercial banks to offer 30 billion baht in soft loans. Additional measures are also being considered to support those affected by the change.
Mr. Boonsong dismissed speculation that the wage hike was designed to encourage Cambodian workers to remain in Thailand, stating that the policy was not intended to favour any particular nationality.
His comments follow recent diplomatic tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, during which Phnom Penh urged its citizens working in Thailand to return home, promising support for those who do.
The 400-baht minimum wage was a key campaign pledge of the ruling Pheu Thai Party during the 2023 general election. The party also promised to raise the minimum wage to 600 baht per day by 2027.
However, the proposal has faced resistance from employers and the independent wage committee, with critics arguing that a single nationwide rate is impractical due to varying local economic conditions.
