What roles can you hire?
Your family has moved into a Bangkok house, and the school run starts on Monday. Most families hire a housekeeper first, then add a nanny, a cook or a driver. Larger homes and villas add a house manager who runs the team. Staff either live in, with a room and meals, or live out and work set hours. Many speak some English.
Housekeeper. Cleaning, laundry and simple cooking; live-in or live-out.
Nanny. Childcare, school runs and meals for children. Ask about first-aid training.
Cook or private chef. Daily family meals, or a trained chef for entertaining.
Driver. School runs, airport trips and errands, with a Thai licence.
Gardener and pool care. Part-time in most cases, and often shared with neighbours.
House manager or butler. For large homes: runs the team, the budget and the diary.
Our Live in Thailand guide covers the rest of setting up a home here.
What the law says about domestic workers
Thai law gives domestic workers clear rights. Ministerial Regulation No. 15, in force since 30 April 2024, sets a maximum 8-hour day with a 1-hour break. It gives business leave and 98 days of maternity leave, 45 of them paid. Pay is at least the minimum wage, says the Ministry of Labour.
The same rules cover live-in and live-out staff. Pay on time and keep a record. A written contract in Thai and English protects both sides.
The provincial labour protection offices set out the basic rights under Ministerial Regulation No. 15 of 2024. Staff get one rest day a week and 13 public holidays a year, including National Labour Day. After one year of work, they get at least 6 days of annual leave. Sick leave covers the days they are actually ill. You may not employ a child under 15, the Prachuap Khiri Khan labour protection office says.
Social security is not yet compulsory for domestic workers. In February 2025 the Ministry of Labour said the Social Security Committee had approved compulsory cover under Section 33. The law still has to change. Until then, staff can join the voluntary Section 40 scheme.
Hiring non-Thai staff: work permits
Many housekeepers and nannies in Thailand come from Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia. Any non-Thai worker needs a valid work permit for the job, with the employer named on it. Hiring without one puts the worker and you at risk. Check the permit before the first day.
Work-permit rules for household staff change, and the details matter. Tanner's team checks the current position with the Department of Employment before you hire.
A licensed recruitment agency can handle the paperwork. See its licence before you sign anything.
How much does a maid cost in Thailand?
A maid in Thailand costs at least the legal minimum wage, which is set by province: the current rates come from Wage Committee announcement No. 14, in force since 1 July 2025, and the Ministry of Labour was reviewing the 2027 rates on 29 October 2026. Above that floor, pay depends on the role, live-in or live-out, languages, experience and the city. Bangkok and Phuket pay more than smaller towns, and a chef or house manager with hotel experience earns far more than a part-time cleaner.
Live-in staff also get a private room and meals. Agency fees, if you use one, vary widely, so get them in writing. Many families also give a bonus at New Year or Songkran, as local custom.
Where to find good staff
The best staff come through people you trust. Ask your children's school, your building manager, or friends who are leaving Thailand. The best lead is often a family that is leaving: you hear first-hand how their staff work. Licensed recruitment agencies are the other main route, and they handle work permits for non-Thai staff.
Community groups linked to embassies and international schools also share notices from families placing their staff. Whatever the route, meet the person and call the references yourself.
Checks before you hire
Never skip the checks, however good the recommendation. Call at least two previous employers yourself. See the ID card or passport and, for non-Thai staff, the work permit. You can request a police clearance. Then agree a paid trial week before the full contract.
☐ Two references called
☐ ID and work permit seen
☐ Police clearance, if you want one
☐ Paid trial week agreed
☐ Written house rules shared on the first day
The contract and running the household
Put everything in a written contract, in Thai and English: hours, duties, days off, leave, pay day and notice on both sides. For live-in staff, add the room, meals and any rules on visitors. A clear contract prevents most problems later.
Give feedback early and kindly. Thai working culture values calm, polite conversation, so raise problems in private, never in front of others. A small thank-you, such as an extra day off after a busy week, builds loyalty.
Our relocation checklist shows when to start hiring in your moving timeline.
Drivers and chefs for a villa
A family driver who lives and works here needs a Thai licence. A 1949 Geneva Convention International Driving Permit, valid for one year, covers visitors. Check that the car's insurance covers the driver. For a short stay, our chauffeur and private chef services are simpler than hiring your own staff.
See our guide to the Thai driving licence for the rules.
Plan it with Tanner
Tanner, your planner, covers the gap while you settle in, with short-term staff from the first day. For holidays and short stays, we book chefs, drivers and nannies through trusted partners. A private chef, butler or nanny starts from ฿11,500 a day each, VAT included. Moving here? Read our guide to moving to Thailand and our relocation service.
For permanent household staff, we refer you to a recruitment partner who places staff on monthly terms. Tell us the home, the roles and the start date. We get back to you right away.
