What is the Employee Welfare Fund (EWF) in Thailand?



Modified on: Mon, 8 Sep, 2025 at 4:33 PM

The Employee Welfare Fund (EWF) is a mandatory social security scheme established under Thailand’s Labour Protection Act B.E. 2541 (1998). It is designed to provide financial support to employees in cases such as:

  • Company closure
  • Employer insolvency
  • Unpaid wages or benefits
  • Employment termination
  • Death or disappearance

The fund is managed by the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare and governed by a board comprising government, employer, and employee representatives. 


The Thai Cabinet has postponed the enforcement of EWF contributions to October 1, 2026, to allow more time for legal adjustments and economic impact assessments.


Who will Contribute to the EWF?

Employees’ contributions are expected to ve deducted directly from their monthly salary. Employers with 10 or more employees will be required to register and contribute unless they already offer a qualifying Provident Fund (PVF) or equivalent private welfare scheme. 

Once the regulation is officially confirmed by Thai authorities, we will implement EWF contributions starting October 2026. 

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