The Ministry of Labour in Thailand announced plans to increase the minimum daily wage to 400 baht nationwide, effective January 1, 2025, as a New Year's gift for workers.

The initiative is part of the government's policy to improve living standards.

The Labour Ministry will establish a new tripartite wage committee, with representatives from the Ministry of Finance and the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare, to finalize the implementation details.

The process, expected to start with a meeting in December, aims to ensure the wage increase is applied on schedule.

The committee will work with provincial wage subcommittees to finalize the plans.

While the wage hike will apply nationwide, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will have a one-year adjustment period.

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra recently expressed the Pheu Thai-led government's commitment to further increase the minimum wage to 700 baht and raise the minimum monthly salary to 25,000 baht.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Phumtham Wechayachai stated that the current wage plan awaits final approval from the prime minister.