Hiring staff on the islands: Thai employees, foreign staff and Myanmar workers (MOU)
Last checked 17 October 2026 · General information, not legal advice
Most island businesses rely on a mix of Thai staff, workers from Myanmar and neighbouring countries, and some foreign specialists. Each has its own paperwork. This is the overview; your Provincial Employment Office and an accountant fill in the detail.
Employing Thai staff
Employment is governed by the Labour Protection Act: written terms, at least the minimum wage, overtime and holiday pay, paid sick leave, annual leave after a year of service, and severance pay when you terminate without cause.
Minimum wages are set by province and sometimes district. Koh Samui district has had one of the higher rates in Thailand (400 baht a day from January 2025); Koh Phangan and Koh Tao follow the Surat Thani provincial rate. Rates are reviewed regularly — check the current figure.
Register employees with the Social Security Office within 30 days of hiring. Employer and employee each contribute a percentage of wages, up to a monthly wage ceiling.
Workers from Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia
Workers from Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia (and Vietnam, for some work) can work legally in Thailand through the MOU system — a government-to-government recruitment process — or through registration rounds the Thai cabinet opens from time to time for workers already in Thailand.
A legal migrant worker has a passport or certificate of identity, a visa and a work permit. The work permit names the employer and the type of work; changing employer has to be notified to the Employment Office within a set time.
MOU recruitment is usually done through a licensed recruitment agency in Thailand working with an agency in the worker's country. Ask the agency for its Department of Employment licence number and a written breakdown of costs. Thai law limits the fees that can be charged to workers.
Migrant workers are covered by the same labour law protections as Thai workers, including the minimum wage, and must be registered for social security or health insurance as required.
Foreign specialists
Other foreign staff need a Non-Immigrant B visa and a work permit, applied for by the employer. See our guide to work permits for how it works and the common requirements.
Advertising a job on KOHlist
Posting is free. Say whether the job is long-term, short-term or a contract, full- or part-time, which languages you need, and whether you help with accommodation or a work permit — those are the questions applicants ask first.
Salary is optional, but ads that show a range get more applicants.
Quick answers
- How do I hire Myanmar workers legally in Thailand?
- Through the MOU process with a licensed recruitment agency, or by registering workers during a government registration round. Each worker needs a passport or certificate of identity, a visa and a work permit naming your business.
- What is the minimum wage on Koh Samui?
- Koh Samui district had a minimum wage of 400 baht a day from January 2025. Rates change — check the Ministry of Labour's current announcement.
- Do I have to register staff for social security?
- Yes, most employees must be registered with the Social Security Office within 30 days of starting work.
Check with the official source
Thai rules and fees change, and offices apply them differently. This guide is general information written by KOHlist, not legal, tax or immigration advice. For a decision that matters, ask the office below or an independent licensed professional.
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