Your Rights as a Household Helper in Thailand

Working as a household helper in Thailand can be a great job — but it's important to know your rights. Since 2012, Ministerial Regulation No. 14 (B.E. 2555) extended key labor protections specifically to domestic workers. Here's what you're legally entitled to.

Minimum Wage

Thailand's minimum wage is set by the National Wage Committee and adjusted periodically. Current rates (2026):

• Bangkok: 370 THB/day
• Chiang Mai: 350 THB/day
• Phuket: 370 THB/day
• Other provinces: 330-370 THB/day

For full-time live-out helpers working 26 days/month, this means a minimum of approximately 9,100-9,600 THB/month. Many experienced helpers earn significantly more — especially those with English skills or specialized experience.

Tip: Check the latest rates at the Ministry of Labour website. Rates are typically reviewed every 1-2 years.

Rest Days & Leave

Under Ministerial Regulation No. 14, you are entitled to:

• At least 1 rest day per week — This must be agreed in advance. Most helpers take Sunday off.
• At least 13 traditional holidays per year — If you work on a public holiday, you should receive overtime pay (1.5x your daily rate).
• Sick leave: Up to 30 days per year (with pay). A doctor's note may be required after 3 consecutive days.
• Annual leave: At least 6 days of paid annual leave after 1 full year with the same employer.
• Maternity leave: 98 days (45 days paid by employer, remainder covered by Social Security if enrolled).

Social Security (Section 33)

If you work full-time for one employer, they are legally required to register you under the Social Security Act, Section 33. This gives you:

• Medical care coverage at a designated hospital
• Disability and death benefits
• Maternity leave benefits (50% of salary for 90 days)
• Child allowance (800 THB/month per child, up to 3 children)
• Old-age pension contributions
• Unemployment benefits

Both you and your employer contribute 5% of your salary each (capped at a salary of 15,000 THB/month, so max 750 THB each). If your employer isn't contributing, they are breaking the law.

Important: You can check your Social Security status online at sso.go.th or call the SSO hotline at 1506.

What Your Employer Cannot Do

• Withhold your salary or delay payment unreasonably
• Confiscate your ID card or documents
• Force you to work without rest days
• Physically or verbally abuse you
• Terminate you without notice (unless for serious misconduct)

What to Do If Your Rights Are Violated

If your employer is not following the law, you can:

1. Talk to your employer first — many issues come from misunderstanding, not malice.
2. Contact the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare — they have offices in every province.
3. Call the Ministry of Labour hotline: 1506 — available in Thai and English.

Protect Yourself

The best protection is choosing your employer carefully. On ThaiHelper, only registered families with email-verified accounts can contact you, so messages don't come from random strangers. Create your free profile and pick the families you want to work with.