The Surin Chamber of Commerce has reported that two factories have already closed in the northeastern province with more likely to follow suit due to the new 300-baht daily minimum wage.
Chamber chairman Kriangsak Palikupt said that many businesses were still confused about reports that the government plans to cover 60% of the labour cost hike. The daily minimum pay rate has been raised from 226 to 300 baht in the province, an increase of 74 baht or 32.7%
The government needs to impose price controls on consumer products for the workers to fully benefit from the higher wages, Mr Kriangsak added. He expressed concern that if consumer costs are allowed to increase, most people would be affected.
He said the new wage is causing problems for small and medium businesses, which are mostly located provincial areas. He said that at least two garment factories had already shut their doors in Surin with two more at risk of going out of business because they can no longer shoulder the rise in labour costs.
He said a large number Cambodian labourers have also been entering Thailand to get work at local restaurants, rice mills and other areas as they were willing to accept less than the minimum wage. He feared that this could bring social problems, including crime.