The amended Labor Protection Act significantly improves workers' rights and is considered a major step of labor reform in Thailand, seeking to create a balance between work and family life, according to Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Periswiwatana.

The Labor Protection Act (No. 9) B.E. 2568 (2025) was published in the Royal Gazette on 7 November 2025, and it took effect on 7 December 2025 onward, after 30 days following its announcement in the Royal Gazette.

The Labor Protection Act introduces the following key benefits:

- Extension of maternity leave from 98 days to 120 days, and employers are required to pay full wages for up to 60 days of the maternity leave;

- Female employees are entitled to an additional 15 days of leave to care for newborns with medical complications, disabilities, or congenital disorders, and during this period, employers are required to pay 50 percent of the regular wage;

- Employees whose spouses give birth are granted 15 days of fully paid leave to support their partners throughout the leave period;

- Extension of protections to employees engaged in service contracts with state agencies, so that they receive the same rights as general employees in terms of wages, holidays, and leave.

The Deputy Government Spokesperson stated that the labor protection law reflects the Government’s policy of upgrading Thai labor standards in accordance with the present social context, promoting equality in the family, and creating a work environment favorable for sustainable quality of life.

In this regard, employers have been urged to be ready to comply with the Labor Protection Act (No. 9) for the maximum benefit of the country’s labor system.