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Published on November 27, 2007

According to a regulation issued by the Labour Ministry, the higher minimum wage will take effect from January 1.

With the increase, the minimum wage will be Bt144 a day even in provinces with the lowest living costs. In urban areas like Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan and Samut Sakhon, the daily wage will increase to Bt194, up from Bt191.

Currently, the daily minimum wage is Bt143 a day in the provinces with low living costs such as Nan.

The Labour Ministry's regulation about the minimum-wage raise was in response to the Central Wage Committee's resolution to adjust wages so they are in line with rising living costs, given the higher petrol prices and rapid economic development.

With the new rate, Phuket is the only province where the daily minimum wage will rise by Bt7, from Bt186 to Bt193.

The Bt5 increase will apply to two provinces, Chachoengsao and Ayutthaya. Daily workers in Krabi, Phetchaburi, Rayong and Sing Buri, meanwhile, are set to earn Bt4 more.

Workers in other provinces will get between Bt1 and Bt3 extra.

Last month, the Cabinet gave the green light for employees of state enterprises to receive a 4 per cent pay raise.

The Nation