Thailand's leave policy

If you’re managing a team in Thailand, you need to understand your employees’ rights when it comes to paid time off. This includes being knowledgeable on local labour laws and regulations, which set guidelines on how to handle sick leave, maternity leave, and other types of paid leave.

Your company’s policies on these matters need to be in full compliance with the legal requirements set by Thailand’s laws. This means ensuring that your employees’ entitlements and benefits are aligned with the minimum standards outlined in the regulations. This way, you’re protecting your business from potential legal and financial risks while treating your employees fairly. 

In this guide, we will provide everything you need to know about leave entitlements in Thailand and other types of leave that companies typically offer to employees.

Sick leave in Thailand

Thailand has a generous sick leave policy. The country’s labour laws allow employees to take sick leave as needed, but the maximum paid sick leave is 30 regular working days per year.

If an employee is sick for three days or more, the employer may request a medical certificate from a qualified doctor to verify the need for sick leave.

Funeral or bereavement leave in Thailand

The law does not mandate this type of leave. This means that funeral or bereavement leave is dependent on company policy and the agreement between the employer and employee. Specific details, such as the number of leave days and eligibility, can vary significantly from one employer to another.

Employers may offer bereavement leave as part of their benefits package to support employees during their time of loss, but the absence of a statutory requirement provides companies with the flexibility to determine their own policies.

Compassionate leave in Thailand

Compassionate leave is not mandated by law and is typically subject to the employer’s internal policies. The provision of compassionate leave can vary from company to company.

Companies may have their own policies regarding leave for employees who need to deal with personal matters, such as the death of a family member or other events that require their attention. It’s common for employers to consider the individual circumstances and grant leave accordingly.

Leave for employees who have worked for less than one year in Thailand

Employees who have not completed a full year of employment are eligible for annual leave on a pro-rata basis. This means that while the full entitlement to annual leave (typically six days after a full year of service) accrues after completing one year, employees who have not yet reached this mark can still accumulate leave proportional to the amount of time they have worked.