What is the minimum wage in Thailand in 2026? (and how does service charge fit in?)
Thailand's 2026 minimum daily wage runs 337–400 THB by province. Hotels and entertainment venues pay 400 THB nationwide. Service charge is separate and not required by law.
The quick version
Thailand's minimum daily wage in 2026 runs from 337 to 400 baht, depending on the province. Bangkok is at 400 baht. Importantly for our industry: hotels (mid-size and up) and entertainment venues pay the 400-baht rate nationwide, wherever they are. Service charge is separate — it's not legally required and it's not part of minimum wage.
What the law says
- Minimum wage is set per day, by province, by the Wage Committee. For 2026 the range is roughly 337–400 THB/day.
- The top 400 THB rate applies to Bangkok, Phuket, Chonburi, Rayong, Chachoengsao, and Koh Samui — and to type-2/3/4 hotels and entertainment venues across the whole country (this widened on 1 July 2025).
- Minimum wage is a floor. No employee may be paid below the rate for their province or sector, whether paid daily or monthly.
- Service charge (the typical 10%) is not set by law. A venue may add it only if it's clearly displayed to customers. How it's split is up to the venue.
Both sides
For employees
- Check your province's rate — and note the hotel/entertainment rate is 400 THB even outside the big provinces.
- Your base pay can't drop below minimum wage. Service charge is on top, not instead.
- Ask how service charge is calculated and split. You're entitled to a clear answer.
For employers
- Audit your rates now if you run a hotel or entertainment venue outside Bangkok — you may owe 400 THB.
- Decide a service-charge policy and write it down. Display it to customers; explain the split to staff.
- Underpaying minimum wage is one of the fastest routes to a labour complaint and back-pay order.
Myths & gray areas
- "Service charge counts toward minimum wage." No. Minimum wage is base pay; service charge is extra.
- "Tips and service charge are the same thing." No. A tip is voluntary and goes to staff. Service charge is a venue-added fee the venue controls.
- "Monthly-salary staff aren't covered." They are — divide salary by working days to confirm it meets the daily floor.
What good looks like
The venues that keep staff longest are transparent about money. Put the service-charge split in writing, show it on payslips, and pay at or above the floor without being chased. It costs nothing and removes the single most common source of staff resentment.
Sources
Plain-language summary, not legal advice.
Laws and figures change. For your situation, confirm with the source or a licensed Thai lawyer. Department of Labour Protection & Welfare hotline: 1506. Disputes can go to the Labour Court.
Related
Know your rights, then make your move.
SHIFTED connects verified employers with pre-screened workers — fairly, both sides.