Forvis Mazars in Thailand technical update
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New regulation on overtime payment for security guard work starting April 2026
20 May 2026
Since fiscal year 1998, Ministerial Regulation (no. 8) of the Labour Protection Act, B.E. 2541 (1998) has stipulated that security guards responsible for safeguarding premises and assets are not entitled to overtime pay on regular workdays or holidays, receiving only their standard hourly wage for any additional hours worked.
This has been reconfirmed in the Ministerial Regulation Specifying Types of Work for Which Employees Are Not Entitled to Overtime Pay and Holiday Overtime Pay B.E.2552 (2009) that security guards who have duty to guard the place and assets which are deemed to be part of the employee’s normal scope of work were not entitled to overtime pay on regular workdays or holidays.
On 24 April 2025, the Royal Gazette announced the Ministerial Regulation on Overtime Payment and Compensation for Security Work Beyond Eight Hours Per Day, B.E. 2568 (2025).
This regulation is set to be implemented in April 2026. This regulation aims to establish a standardised approach to overtime pay, enhance working conditions, and guarantee equitable compensation for security personnel throughout Thailand.
Key highlights of the new regulation:
- Work hours limit: The regulation reinforces existing limits on daily working hours to not more than 48 hours per week with mandatory rest periods to prevent overwork.
- Standardised overtime rates: The new regulation mandates a minimum hourly wage rate of 1.25 times the regular rate of the normal hourly wage rate for security guards who have duty to guard the place and assets working beyond their scheduled hours. For additional work on holidays, the rate increases to 2.5 times the regular hourly wage rate.
| Overtime | Overtime rate/ Payment for additional working hours | ||
Labour Protection Act, B.E. 2541 (1998) (Only for employees that are entitled for overtime pay) | Security guard worker who has duty to guard the place and assets (Existing regulation) | Security guard worker who has duty to guard the place and assets (New regulation) | |
| Overtime on a normal working day/ Payment for additional working hours | 1.5 times | Receive payment equal to normal working hour | 1.25 times |
| Overtime on holiday/ Payment for additional working hours on holiday. | 3 times | Receive payment equal to normal working hour | 2.5 times |
This new regulation will take effect 365 days after its publication in the Royal Gazette on 24 April 2025. It marks a significant step towards improving labor rights and helping ensure fair compensation for security personnel across Thailand.
Employers in the security industry are advised to review and adjust their employment contracts and payroll systems to comply with the upcoming regulation.
Reference (in Thai)
- The Royal Gazette announced the Ministerial Regulations on Overtime Payment and Compensation for Security Work Beyond Eight Hours Per Day, B.E. 2568. Retrieved from The Secretariat of the Cabinet.