Employment in Thailand in 2023: Prospects and Job Opportunities for Foreign Specialists

Working in Thailand is not always easy and carefree, like a vacation on the beach. Finding a job is relatively simple, but it often involves unofficial or illegal ways of earning money. To work legally, one needs to take care of the necessary documents.

Thailand is associated with the sea, relaxation, and entertainment, but the country's economy is developed, offering many job opportunities. Legal work can be interesting and promising, but it requires compliance with the laws.

In Thailand, 39% work in industry, 52% in agriculture, and the rest in the service sector. Enterprises contribute 48% of GDP, agriculture accounts for 10%, and tourism makes up 7%, highlighting the importance of different sectors in the economy.

The situation in the labor market in Thailand

Economic growth in Thailand, particularly in the tourism and manufacturing sectors, is contributing to the creation of new jobs and a decrease in unemployment levels. However, despite this, the uneven distribution of the workforce between urban and rural areas can lead to disparities in employment levels.

Education also plays a key role. High qualifications of specialists can enhance competitiveness in the labor market and contribute to increased wages. It is important to note that both internal and international migration can impact the labor market by increasing the supply of labor and introducing uncertainty into the employment structure.

All these factors interact and create a dynamic picture in the labor market of Thailand, influencing the demand for workers and unemployment in the country.

Salaries in Thailand

In 2023, the minimum wage in Thailand is 325 THB per day. However, many earn less. Violators can be fined up to 100,000 THB, and managers may face imprisonment. Medical staff in Thailand earn an average of 9,000 to 14,000 THB per month, but this amount can vary depending on the region, experience, and specialization. Thai residents earn an average of 10,000 to 12,000 Thai baht, while foreign workers earn less. For example, waitresses earn between 5,000 and 7,000 Thai baht per month.

Unemployment

The analysis of unemployment statistics reflects the state of the labor market. High rates can reduce demand for labor and wages, impacting the social and economic well-being of citizens.

According to data from 2023, unemployment in Thailand is only 1%, which is one of the lowest rates in Asia and the world.

Employment of foreigners

In the country, the employment rate is almost 100%, but there are always job opportunities for foreigners.

In-demand professions

In Thailand, highly qualified specialists are always valued. In 2023, the most in-demand professions for legal employment in the country are:

• programmer;

• tourist guide at the hotel;

• interpreter;

• employee of an international company;

• designer;

• real estate agent.

The in-demand professions in Thailand reflect the diverse job opportunities in the country.

Frequently encountered job openings

In the country, various professions are popular. Among them, we can highlight agents who specialize in booking and selling tickets, managers in the fields of tourism and sales, guides, translators from different languages, salespeople, language teachers, especially English, and freelancers in the IT sector.

What are the most popular cities for work?

The most beautiful cities, Pattaya, Phuket, and Bangkok, offer a variety of job opportunities. Bangkok, the capital of the country, while being a cultural center, is not as popular for employment among foreigners, especially those with lower qualifications, due to fierce competition among locals.