Annual Leave in Thailand: Legal Minimum for 2026

The Legal Framework: What Does Thai Law Say?

The Labour Protection Act (Labour Protection Act, B.E. 2541 — revised in 2562/2019) serves as the reference for labor law in Thailand. Regarding annual leave, Article 30 states:

• Minimum 6 working days of paid leave per year
• This right is accrued after 1 year of continuous work with the same employer
• The employer may grant more, but cannot go below this legal threshold
• Unused days may, by agreement, be carried over or compensated financially

💡 Good to Know

In practice, most multinational companies and international employers offer between 10 and 15 days of annual leave, or even more. The legal minimum of 6 days is rarely applied as is in sectors where expatriates are active.

Annual Leave and Seniority: How Does It Progress?

Thai law provides a fixed minimum of 6 days, with no legal obligation for automatic increases based on seniority. However:

• Many companies include a contractual progression in their internal policy (e.g., +1 day for each additional year)
• The employment contract or applicable collective agreement may provide more favorable conditions
• Individual agreements negotiated at hiring take precedence over the legal minimum, as long as they are at least equal to this minimum

Expatriates: Do They Have the Same Rights as Local Employees?

Yes. As long as an expatriate is legally working in Thailand with a valid Work Permit, they enjoy the same protections as any Thai employee. The Labour Protection Act does not differentiate based on nationality.

⚠️ Caution

If your contract is a secondment contract signed in your home country (France, Belgium, Canada, Switzerland, Morocco, Senegal, etc.), the conditions of your home country may apply primarily. Check with your employer or consult a lawyer specializing in international labor law.

Public Holidays: Not to Be Confused with Annual Leave

In Thailand, national public holidays (minimum 13 per year according to the law) are distinct from annual leave. The employer is required to grant at least 13 public holidays per year, chosen from official celebrations. These days do not count against the annual leave quota.

✅ Practical Advice

Before signing your contract in Thailand, always check the clause regarding annual leave. If it only mentions the legal minimum of 6 days, you can negotiate for a higher number — this is common and widely accepted in local practices. If in doubt about your rights, a local partner lawyer can quickly review your contract.

To learn more about all your rights as a foreign employee, check out our comprehensive guide: Labour Law in Thailand 2026.