Breakdown of Thailand's labour force in May 2023

Sectors which saw the highest growth in employment include information and communications (49.92%), electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning systems (47.15%), and mining and quarrying (33.91%).

According to the Ministry of Labour, Thailand's economy continued on the recovery track in May 2023.

For an overview of the economy, Thailand's private spending increased in both consumption and investment in the month. Meanwhile, government expenditure grew from both current expenditure and capital expenditure. The value of merchandise exports, excluding gold, also increased in line with industrial production; and the number of foreign tourists also continued to grow, eliminating seasonal factors.

Headline inflation declined mainly in the energy category. The drop was mainly in line with lower electricity prices and domestic retail oil prices. together with a high base effect the previous year. While base inflation slightly decreased, the overall labour market recovered according to the economic situation. As for the current account, there was a deficit from services, income and money transfers, while the trade balance noted a slight surplus.

For comparison on a global scale, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of Japan remained unchanged, while that for Taiwan, South Korea, the US and Thailand decreased from the previous month.

Looking at Thailand's performance in May 2023, the CPI was recorded at 107.19 points — a decrease of 0.77 points from the previous month. The decrease was attributed to the energy group, particularly the declining price of fuel. This would also include electricity prices that have been reduced due to government assistance measures, together with measures to reduce the cost of living and the supervision of goods and services of government agencies.

In addition, the prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages increased at a slower rate since the beginning of the year mainly due to the decrease in prices of pork and vegetable oil. In light of this, the report has set out suggested long-term policies and measures:

• Reduce the cost of living for workers and reduce production costs for employers through the social security mechanism and reduction of contribution rates in insurance system (section 33, 39 and 40);
• Implement projects to promote and maintain employment in small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) continuously to reduce unemployment and enhance liquidity;
• Build strength and encourage SMEs to implement social welfare assistance projects among informal workers;
• Increase the quality of life of workers and skill development for the unemployed, to raise the quality of labour
• Encourage workers to develop their existing skills to become more proficient (upskill/reskill) or encourage workers to equip themselves with new skills to re-enter the labour market.

Labour force breakdown

Within Thailand, the total working age population (those aged 15 and above) totalled 58.65mn, with those in the labour force adding up to 40.12mn (representing 68.41% of the working-age population). Of this, 39.61mn people were employed and 0.51mn people were unemployed. 

In terms of employment, sectors which saw the highest growth include information and communications (49.92%), electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning systems (47.15%), and mining and quarrying (33.91%).

On the other hand, those that saw a decline include the sector classified as "other service activities (-14.52%), and real estate (-13.79%).

In figures, 11.35mn people were employed in the agricultural sector, while 28.26mn people were employed outside of it.

Coming to unemployment, the number of unemployed people in the month amounted to 515,000 people, recording an unemployment rate of 1.28%, up from 1.10% recorded in April. 

Thailand's minimum wage:

Apart from the above, the report also recapped the current minimum wage in place in different provinces/regions of Thailand, effective 1 October 2022.

Wage rate: 354 baht

There are three provinces:

1. Chonburi
2. Rayong and
3. Phuket.

Wage rate: 353 baht

There are six provinces:

1. Bangkok,
2. Nonthaburi,
3. Nakhon Pathom,
4. Pathum Thani,
5. Samut Prakan and
6. Samut Sakhon

Wage rate: 345 baht

There is one province:

1. Chachoengsao

Wage rate: 343 baht

There is one province:

1. Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

Wage rate: 340 baht

There are 14 provinces:

1. Prachin Buri,
2. Nong Khai,
3. Ubon Ratchathani,
4. Phang Nga,
5. Krabi,
6. Trat,
7. Khon Kaen,
8. Chiang Mai,
9. Suphan Buri,
10. Songkhla,
11. Surat Thani,
12. Nakhon Ratchasima,
13. Lopburi and
14. Saraburi.

Wage rate: 338 baht

There are six provinces:

1. Mukdahan,
2. Kalasin,
3. Sakon Nakhon,
4. Samut Songkhram,
5. Chanthaburi and
6. Nakhon Nayok.

Wage rate: 335 baht

There are 19 provinces:

1. Phetchabun,
2. Kanchanaburi,
3. Bueng Kan,
4. Chainat,
5. Nakhon Phanom,
6. Phayao,
7. Surin,
8. Yasothon,
9. Roi Et,
10. Loei,
11. Phatthalung,
12. Uttaradit,
13. Nakhon Sawan,
14. Prachuap Khiri Khan,
15. Phitsanulok,
16. Ang Thong,
17. Sa Kaeo,
18. Buriram and
19. Phetchaburi.

Wage rate: 332 baht

There are 22 provinces:

1. Amnat Charoen,
2. Mae Hong Son,
3. Chiang Rai,
4. Trang,
5. Sisaket,
6. Nong Bua Lamphu,
7. Uthai Thani,
8. Lampang,
9. Lamphun,
10. Chumphon,
11. Maha Sarakham,
12. Sing Buri,
13. Satun,
14. Phrae,
15. Sukhothai,
16. Kamphaeng Phet,
17. Ratchaburi,
18. Tak,
19. Nakhon Si Thammarat, and
20. Chaiyaphum.
21. Ranong and
22. Phichit

Wage rate: 328 baht

There are five provinces:

1. Yala,
2. Pattani,
3. Narathiwat,
4. Nan and
5. Udon Thani.

More details on these minimum wage in our previous coverage.

Leave image / Ministry of Labour