The Central Wage Committee has agreed to an increase in the daily minimum wage of 5 to 10 baht in 69 provinces and retain the 300-baht minimum wage in eight provinces, from Jan 1, permanent secretary for labour Puntrik Smiti said.
ML Puntrik, the chair of the committee, announced the decision after a meeting on Wednesday to consider the daily wage for 2017.
The eight provinces where the current 300-baht minimum wage will remain are: Sing Buri, Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Ranong, Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala.
The minimum wage in 49 provinces will go up by 5 baht to 305 baht per day. They are: Mae Hong Son, Lampang, Nan, Tak, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Suphan Buri, Phetchaburi, Phatthalung, Satun, Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit, Phrae, Phetchabun, Uthai Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Kalasin, Maha Sarakham, Roi Et, Buri Ram, Surin, Amnat Charoen, Chai Nat, Lop Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Sa Kaeo, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Samut Songkhram, Chanthaburi, Trat, Lamphun, Phayao, Sukhothai, Uttaradit, Bung Kan, Nakhon Phanom, Ubon Ratchathani, Ang Thong, Loei, Nong Bua Lamphu, Mukdahan, Yasothon, Chiang Rai, Phitsanulok, Udon Thani, Chaiyaphum, Si Sa Ket, Nakhon Sawan and Nong Khai.
The minimum wage will go up by 8 baht to 308 baht in 13 provinces: Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachin Buri, Chon Buri, Rayong, Surat Thani, Songkhla, Chiang Mai, Saraburi, Chachoengsao, Krabi, Phangnga and Ayutthaya.
Seven provinces -- Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon and Phuket -- will see the minimum wage increase from 300 to 310 baht.
ML Puntrik said the decision on the new minimum wage is based on 10 factors -- cost of living index, inflation rate, production costs, prices of products, productivity, living standards, prices of goods and services, competitiveness, gross national product, and economic and social conditions -- in each province.
Today's resolution of the Central Wage Committee will be submitted to Labour Minister Sirichai Distakul, who will forward it to the cabinet for approval.
If approved, the new minimum wages will take effect from Jan 1, 2017, she said.
Wanlop Kingchansilp, president of the Employers Confederation of Thai Business, said the new rates were based on scientific data.
Although small and medium enterprises may be affected, overall employers would be able to adjust to the new figures. There had been no increases in the past three years.
Sombat Noiwa, an employees' representative on the Central Wage Committee, said he would like the minimum wage to go up in all 77 provinces but the new figures were acceptable.