The Ministry of Public Health is preparing to implement a new wage structure for the group of "Ministry of Public Health employees - monthly contract workers," effective nationwide on 1 October 2026. It also plans to request an increase of 93,000 employment positions to support the transition of daily contract workers to a more stable status.
On 7 June 2026, Dr. Ekachai Phiansriwatchara, Deputy Permanent Secretary and spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Health, reported on the progress of adjusting the wage structure for personnel under the Office of the Permanent Secretary. Following the Ministry of Finance's approval of the new wage account structure for Ministry of Public Health employees (MoPH employees) and monthly temporary workers, the Ministry of Public Health Staff Management Committee approved on 19 March 2026 the adjustment of the wage structure for MoPH employees, including compensation measures for those potentially affected by the changes.
Regarding the monthly temporary workers group, a proposal to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health is being prepared to adjust their wage account structure, including compensation measures for those impacted similarly. The minimum wage under the new structure for both groups will start at 10,520 baht per month, averaging 350 baht per day, or 457 baht per working day, which exceeds the current minimum wage. The implementation is scheduled nationwide on 1 October 2026 to allow service units adequate time to prepare their budgets and management accordingly.
Dr. Ekachai added that the Office of the Permanent Secretary has requested approval from the Ministry of Finance to increase the employment quota for MoPH employees and monthly temporary workers by 93,000 positions. This is to accommodate the intake of scholarship students and to transition daily temporary workers to MoPH employee or monthly temporary worker status, which offers greater job security.
Currently, this request is under consideration by the Ministry of Finance. Once approved, the Office of the Permanent Secretary will expedite the necessary procedures to ensure personnel benefit concretely. This initiative represents another step in supporting Ministry of Public Health personnel across all employment types in terms of income, welfare, and job stability, which will boost morale and strengthen Thailand's public health system in the long term.
"Personnel are the heart of the health system. This upgrade in compensation and job security reflects the Ministry of Public Health's commitment to fairly support all worker groups, enabling them to fully perform their duties in caring for the public and improve their quality of life in a tangible way," Dr. Ekachai said.