Thailand

In Thailand, employees who have completed one year of continuous service with the same employer are entitled to a minimum of 6 days of paid vacation leave annually. For those who have worked for less than a year, the leave is typically calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Entitlement Considerations

The right to vacation leave is contingent on uninterrupted employment with the same employer. It's possible for employers and employees to agree to roll over unused leave days to the following year or to provide financial compensation for some unused leave.

Scheduling Leave

Vacation schedules are often mutually agreed upon by employers and employees. It's generally required for employers to grant leave with advance notice.

Thailand celebrates a variety of public holidays throughout the year. These holidays are a mix of national and regional observances.

National Holidays

• New Year's Day: Celebrated on January 1st.
• Makha Bucha Day: This is a Buddhist observance commemorating the Buddha's teaching. The date varies based on the lunar calendar.
• Chakri Memorial Day: Celebrated on April 6th, this day commemorates the founding of the Chakri dynasty.
• Songkran Festival: This is the traditional Thai New Year celebration, usually a multi-day celebration in April, typically from April 13th-15th.
• Labor Day: Celebrated on May 1st.
• Coronation Day: Celebrated on May 5th, this day celebrates the King's coronation.
• Visakha Bucha Day: This is the most important Buddhist holiday, celebrating the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha. The date varies based on the lunar calendar.
• Asalha Puja Day: This is a significant Buddhist observance marking the Buddha's first sermon. The date varies based on the lunar calendar.
• The Queen's Birthday: Celebrated on August 12th.
• Chulalongkorn Day: Celebrated on October 23rd, this day commemorates King Chulalongkorn.
• The King's Birthday: Celebrated on December 5th.
• Constitution Day: Celebrated on December 10th.

Regional Holidays

• Chinese New Year: This holiday is celebrated in certain areas with large Chinese populations but is not a national public holiday.

Employees in Thailand are entitled to various types of leave, each with its own specific entitlements and legal references.

Annual Leave

Employees who have completed one year of service are entitled to at least 6 days of paid annual leave per year. This is outlined in the Labor Protection Act (LPA), Sections 30-31.

Sick Leave

After completing their probationary period, employees are entitled to 30 days of paid sick leave per year. This is stated in the Labor Protection Act (LPA), Section 32.

Maternity Leave

Female employees are entitled to 90 days of paid maternity leave, which can include some time before birth. Employers often pay for the first 45 days, and the Social Security Fund covers the remainder. This is detailed in the Labor Protection Act (LPA), Section 41.

Personal Leave

Employees are entitled to paid personal leave for urgent personal matters. The duration is often specified in company regulations. This is mentioned in the Labor Protection Act (LPA), Section 34.

Other Notable Leave Types

There are also other types of leave available, such as:

• Ordination Leave: For Buddhist employees entering monkhood (duration varies)
• Military Leave: For fulfilling military service requirements.
• Hajj Leave: For Muslim employees to embark on a pilgrimage to Mecca (may be unpaid, based on company policy).
• Bereavement Leave: Often granted, duration varies based on company policy.

Important Considerations

Many companies offer leave provisions beyond the minimum outlined in the LPA. Policies are detailed in employment contracts or employee handbooks.