This report provides updated estimates of family living expenses and living wages for rural areas in the provinces of Roi Et and Nakhon Phanom, Thailand, where tobacco and rice are grown. Since there was virtually no inflation and no changes in payroll deductions between the original Anker living wage study conducted in December 2024 (Kulkolkarn and Delajara, 2024) and June 2025, no adjustment for inflation or taxes was necessary. However, the appreciation of the Thai baht has resulted in changes to the living income and living wage when expressed in US.
This report provides an updated Anker Living Wage Reference Value for urban Thailand, reflecting changes in the cost of living since the original estimate. In 2022, the gross living wage for urban areas was estimated at THB 14,202 (USD 403) per month. Adjusting for cumulative inflation of 7.8% between June 2022 and June 2025, the updated gross living wage is THB 15,292 (USD 466) per month. This update also incorporates the most recent income tax and social security regulations. Without this adjustment, the 2022 estimate would no longer be adequate to ensure a basic but decent standard of living in 2025, due to the erosion of purchasing power. In addition, the appreciation of the Thai baht—from THB 35.24 to THB 32.78 per USD—has contributed to an increase in the living wage when expressed in US dollars.
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