Legal Section - Doing Business
You will find here a series of summaries providing an overview of useful legal regulations, processes and legal issues for Doing Business in Thailand.
Amendments to work permit regulations for foreigners in Thailand
The Cabinet has approved amendments to work permit regulations, aiming to alleviate administrative burdens on foreign workers and employers. The Ministry of Labour’s proposed changes seek to modernise the current system, which has been criticised for its inefficiency.
Implementation of the Employee Welfare Fund: Contribution collection, membership conditions, and compliance requirements
The Royal Gazette has published the Royal Decree Prescribing the Commencement Period for the Collection of Contributions to the Employee Welfare Fund, B.E. 2567 (2024) and the Ministerial Regulations Specifying the Contribution Rates for the Employee Welfare Fund, B.E. 2567 (2024).
Potential effect of new minimum wage rates on employers
Effective 1 January 2025, new minimum daily wage rates were implemented in Thailand, as set out in Notice on Minimum Wage Rates (No. 13).
SMART Visa program restructuring
The Cabinet approved the removal of Smart Visa categories that overlap with the LTR Visa and other existing visa types. This decision is based on the LTR Visa’s more comprehensive qualifications and superior benefits compared to the Smart Visa.
Changes to Long-term Residence Visa rules
On 13 January 2025, the Cabinet approved amendments to the qualifications, criteria, and conditions for the long-term residence visa (“LTR Visa”), reducing unnecessary conditions and focusing on the main objective of attracting wealthy individuals, highly skilled professionals, and their families to drive and stimulate the economy.