Major Thai workforce trends in 2025
The Hiring, Compensation & Benefits (HCB) Report 2025 identified three key transitions in the Thai labour market that organisations should not overlook, according to Jobsdb:
The increasing shift towards flexible employment models
Changes in employee benefits to enhance quality of life, and
The rising importance of AI skills, which are rapidly becoming foundational capabilities for the modern workforce.
The findings are based on an in-depth survey of 702 employers across Thailand, between September and October 2024. The survey covers businesses of all sizes across nearly every industry, aiming to identify critical labour market changes and equip Thai businesses with strategic insights to adapt confidently in the fast-evolving world of work.
"Our latest findings reflect a crucial turning point in Thailand's labour market," said Duangporn Promon, managing director of Jobsdb by SEEK Thailand. "In 2024, many companies undertook internal restructuring to manage economic pressures by reducing costs, simplifying operations and improving overall efficiency.
"Full-time permanent employees were the most affected, particularly in accounting, HR, marketing, customer service and manufacturing roles. However, the 2025 HCB Report points to a promising recovery, with over 53% of employers planning to hire at least one full-time position in the first half of the year."
Many organisations, she said, are increasingly adopting part-time and contract employment strategies to cope with uncertainty and improve business flexibility. The findings reveal that:
Part-time permanent positions in large organisations (over 100 employees) increased from 20% to 42%;
Contract part-time positions rose from 19% to 28%.
For small and medium-sized enterprises, the shift towards flexible employment is following a similar trend. While certain job functions have been impacted, the overall Thai labour market remains strong, with the national unemployment rate staying as low as 1%.
Roles that continue to see high hiring demand include administrative and HR positions, accounting and business-to-business salespersons.
EMPLOYEE VALUE
"Modern organisations are placing increasing importance on their employee value proposition [EVP], with a focus on enhancing employee well-being across physical, mental and family dimensions," said Ms Duangporn.
"In 2025, we are observing a clear shift towards more comprehensive benefit offerings including additional types of leave such as birthday leave, paternity leave to support childcare, and family care leave, each reporting a 15% increase."
Ms Duangporn said many companies are also expanding family-oriented benefits such as providing nursing rooms in the workplace and education allowances. These measures not only improve employees' quality of life but also serve as an effective strategy to strengthen employee engagement and retention.
In terms of compensation, 85% of surveyed organisations indicated they have increased salaries to keep up with inflation, while 84% reported providing bonuses averaging two months' salary to maintain employees' morale during ongoing economic fluctuations.
AI A NECESSITY
Although the adoption of AI technologies in recruitment processes is still in its early stages, the report indicates that AI-related skills are becoming a key criterion in hiring decisions. According to the report, 65% of organisations now consider AI competency during job interviews, while 26% believe that these skills are critical in the modern workplace.
Assessment methods for AI skills typically include direct interviews (51%), portfolio reviews (42%) and specialised tests (33%). Additionally, 34% of organisations have already begun using AI tools to draft job postings and screen applications. This reflects a growing trend where AI is no longer just a tool for tech roles but is increasingly recognised as a foundational skill required across industries.
"2025 marks a year of strategic transformation and organisational restructuring," said Ms Duangporn. "In response to the fast-evolving labour landscape, companies in Thailand are accelerating efforts to meet the expectations of the modern workforce through more flexible employment models, holistic employee benefits and the integration of AI as a new standard in hiring criteria."
Preparing for these emerging trends is no longer optional -- it's a strategic imperative for organisations aiming to remain competitive and resilient in the long term, she said.
As the country's largest online job platform, Jobsdb is committed to bridging the gap between employers and job seekers to support a more sustainable and high-quality labour market, she added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Bangkok Post
17 hours ago
- Bangkok Post
Insurers to aid border victims
The Thai General Insurance Association (TGIA) is working with non-life insurance companies to determine appropriate measures to assist policyholders affected by the ongoing unrest along the Thailand-Cambodia border. Plans are being formulated to offer financial assistance, even in cases where damages may fall under policy exclusions, according to TGIA president Somporn Suebthawilkul. In response to the recent conflict at the border, which has harmed lives and damaged properties in nearby communities, the TGIA is engaging with non-life insurers to identify support measures to alleviate losses and hardships resulting from the unrest, said Mr Somporn. "The association and its member companies are committed to supporting affected policyholders. The discussions have focused on providing relief for losses related to lives, property and businesses, particularly for those living in directly impacted border areas," he said. The insurance sector is committed to handling this situation fairly and transparently, focusing on the interests of policyholders, said Mr Somporn. "Many insurers are working on emergency assistance measures, including the provision of humanitarian aid, even though some of the damages may technically fall under policy exclusions," he said. The TGIA urged residents in high-risk or border areas to review their insurance policies to understand the scope of coverage and any applicable exclusions. Affected individuals are encouraged to contact their respective insurance providers or the TGIA directly for more information and guidance. Inquiries can be made via phone at 02-108-8399. The association reaffirmed its commitment to work closely with both the public and private sectors, standing alongside Thais in crises. The TGIA said it is dedicated to preserving the integrity, transparency and fairness of the Thai insurance system, in line with international insurance principles and its mission to strengthen national stability.
Bangkok Post
a day ago
- Bangkok Post
Court ruling on foreign pilots awaited
Although Thai airlines are not currently using foreign pilots to fly domestic routes, the practice could resume next year as the Administrative Court has yet to rule on a temporary injunction sought by Thai pilots to prevent it. In March, the Thai Pilots Association filed a lawsuit against the Ministry of Labour with the court, seeking a temporary injunction to prohibit foreign pilots from operating domestic routes. In the previous high tourism season, VietJet Thailand leased two aircraft from a foreign company under a so-called wet lease agreement, which includes pilot, crew, maintenance and insurance in the same package. The airline used the jets on the Bangkok-Phuket route following a cabinet decision last December to temporarily waive restrictions on foreign pilots, as proposed by the Ministry of Labour. At a recent hearing the Administrative Court asked a representative from the Ministry of Labour to explain its position, according to Teerawat Angkasakulkiat, president of the pilots' association. Also present were representatives from VietJet Thailand and the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT). The airline said it operated its service under a wet lease arrangement, supporting the government's policy to lift tourism and reduce passenger airfares. The CAAT said the document submitted for wet lease permission was clear, while the labour ministry said it was authorised by law to execute the policy, although no such case has occurred before. Mr Teerawat said wet lease agreements had been used in Thailand since 2008, according to the CAAT. The court is continuing to review the issue and said it needs more supporting evidence. Mr Teerawat said a concern is the cabinet resolution did not clearly indicate an exact timeframe for allowing wet-lease schemes. The resolution roughly limits the time frame per wet-lease contract to six months, which can be extended for another six months. 'Unless the court rules in our favour, the resolution leaves open the possibility for any airline to use foreign pilots for domestic routes again during the next high season,' he said. 'We are worried that in the future that pilots will be removed from the restricted jobs list, affecting the competitiveness of local pilots.' With many airlines planning to aggressively open new routes, Mr Teerawat said he hopes this will lead to more employment for Thai pilots, as the employment rate for commercial pilots has hardly changed this year due to limited increases in airlines' fleets. He said the association is urging the CAAT to create an inclusive employment system for the aviation industry. The authority should disclose data regarding pilot employment, airline expansion and the aviation industry to allow the next generation of pilots to decide if they want this career, said Mr Teerawat. The government should also prohibit 'pay-to-fly' schemes, which require pilots to pay large sums of money for jobs, he said. Three or four Thai airlines have adopted this practice, said Mr Teerawat.
Bangkok Post
a day ago
- Bangkok Post
Robinhood's ‘RBH4HERO' Turns Food Orders into Donations
Bangkok, August 8, 2025 — Robinhood, Thailand's leading food delivery application, has launched its latest corporate social responsibility campaign, RBH4HERO, enabling customers to support the families of Thai soldiers who lost their lives during the border clashes with Cambodia. The initiative transforms every food order into a meaningful contribution. From 31 July to 31 August 2025, for every order placed using the promotional code RBH4HERO, Robinhood will donate 10 baht to programmes supporting the families of these national heroes. The donation is fully funded by the company, allowing customers to participate at no extra cost. 'The sacrifices made by our soldiers in the line of duty must never be forgotten,' said [Name, Title], spokesperson for Robinhood. 'The RBH4HERO campaign is our way of expressing deep gratitude to those who fell during the conflict with Cambodia. It is our duty to stand with the families they left behind. This initiative allows our customers to join us in honouring their memory and providing tangible support to their loved ones.' The campaign is designed to be simple and accessible for all Robinhood users. The RBH4HERO code can be applied to any food order, as often as customers wish, throughout the campaign period. How to participate: Open the Robinhood application and select your desired food items. At checkout, enter the promotional code RBH4HERO. Complete your order – Robinhood will then donate 10 baht. This initiative underscores Robinhood's mission to create a positive impact beyond its business operations, fostering a spirit of generosity and collective care in the community.
