The Thai Government has recently approved a 15-day paternity leave for state officials or employees whose wives have given birth to take care of the new mothers and babies. The draft royal decree permits the state officials or employees to take up to 15 days off at full salary within 30 days of the child’s birth.

If the state officials wanted to take the days off to take care of their wives after the mentioned 30-day period, it would be up to their supervisor, at the director general or equivalent position, if the officials would receive payment during the leave period.

The officials taking extra days off to take care of their newborns would not be entitled to the salary payment.

The draft royal decree also allows state officials who have not been ordained as Buddhist monks or on a pilgrimage to Meccato take religious leave with salary payment for up to 120 days, while officials wishing to take leave for vocational rehabilitation were entitled to leave with salary payment for up to 12 months.

Contact MSNA for your questions on this draft royal decree and for more information about Thai Labor Law.