Thailand Business Guide - UK Trade & Investment

compensation contribution (for the first
15,000 baht of salary per month).
Offering employees the opportunity to
train overseas is also very attractive at all
levels, although make sure that in return
for providing such training they make a
commitment to stay with your company. In
addition, be sure to invest in the mentoring
of Thai management-level talent; this can be
done by giving them experience of working
around the organisation and grooming them
for global corporate positions. A clearly
defined career progression route is also
attractive and will help to retain staff.
A lot of smaller companies setting up an
office in Thailand may well just employ
one person to deal with all aspects of
running the company. Although this may
be convenient and cost-effective, it might
not generate the best performance for your
Thai operation. Staff selection will prove
vital; although the individual may be very
willing, honest and capable, they may not
be adept or experienced in international
business practices. If your employee is not
familiar with the relevant Thai rules and
regulations pertaining to the running of an
international office or business in Thailand,
then you may soon have to deal with issues
of non-compliance, which could prove
very costly. Moreover, having one person in
control of all financial and legal aspects of
the business is not prudent.
Working hours
Working hours in Thailand are:
• Normal office hours:
08.00-17.00 or 09.00-18.00
• Government offices:
08.30-16.30
• Normal lunch break:
12.00-13.00
• Non-hazardous work:
48 hours a week
• Hazardous work:
42 hours a week
• Public holidays:
13 days a year
• Annual leave:
not less than six days a year
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