Economy
Thailand Proposes New Protections for Platform Economy Workers
The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) is pushing for legislation to regulate platform-based work, aiming to address income instability and safety concerns for nearly 460,000 workers.
According to Khaosod Online, the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) of Thailand is advocating for new legal protections for workers in the platform economy. Secretary-General Danucha Pichayanan noted that while the digital service sector is projected to grow from 310 billion baht in 2023 to 520 billion baht by 2027, the current workforce—estimated at nearly 460,000 people in 2025—faces significant challenges.
These workers currently lack formal employee status, leading to issues such as unstable income, high self-borne costs, and health risks stemming from 10-12 hour workdays. Furthermore, workers face limited bargaining power, as platforms unilaterally set work conditions and use opaque algorithmic systems for job allocation and account suspensions. The current lack of accessible grievance procedures further complicates these issues.
For residents and travelers, this development highlights the evolving nature of Thailand’s digital gig economy. While these platforms provide convenient services, the government is now seeking to formalize protections through the proposed 'Independent Worker Promotion and Protection Act.' It remains to be confirmed how these regulations will be implemented, what specific minimum wage criteria will be established, and how they might impact the cost or availability of digital platform services in the future.