Thailand will stick to an agreed plan to raise the average daily minimum wage by 2.37%, effective in January, a senior government official said on Wednesday, despite concerns from the prime minister that it was insufficient.
The current minimum wage is 328-354 baht, varying between different parts of the country.
"The wage hike is based on current economic data and is considered appropriate with equality, fairness and reliability," he told a press conference.
The wage committee would consider adjusting the way it set wage increases as soon as possible, which is expected to lead to another wage hike in April or May next year, he said.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has said the 2.37% wage hike was too low and wage increases would "not be a disaster" for business owners.
His ruling Pheu Thai party wanted to raise the threshold to 400 baht, among its raft of populist promises to woo the working classes, but faced opposition from businesses worried about pushing up operating costs during a weak economy.
The previous government in October last year had increased the minimum wage by 5.02%.
