Deel is the best overall employer of record (EOR) for Thailand for most US startups, scale-ups and international companies.
Pricing checked on ****. Deel publishes a $599 per employee per month EOR fee, offers month-to-month pricing and combines employment contracts, payroll, tax filings, benefits administration and compliance support in one platform. Deel advertises EOR employment in more than 130 countries.
The $599 fee is the EOR management fee, not the full cost of employing someone in Thailand. Salary, employer social security, work-injury contributions, benefits, immigration services and other Thailand-specific costs may be charged separately.
Best EOR Providers for Thailand Compared
| Provider | Best for | Published EOR price | Main consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deel | Best overall for most companies | $599 per employee/month | Wide service coverage and transparent monthly pricing |
| Remote | Companies that prioritise local support | $699 monthly or $599 with annual billing | The lower rate requires annual billing |
| Oyster | Startups that want guided onboarding | $699 per employee/month | A refundable deposit and currency-conversion fees may apply |
| Papaya Global | Large companies consolidating global payroll | Custom or quote-based | Confirm the Thai employing entity and delivery model |
Remote lists Thailand as an EOR market and advertises local payroll, compliance protection, benefits support and dedicated in-house experts.
Oyster advertises EOR services at $699 per employee per month. Its services include onboarding, payroll, benefits and local HR support. Its pricing page also states that currency-conversion fees and a refundable deposit may apply.
Papaya Global says it acts as the legal employer for workers in 180 countries and manages contracts, statutory payments, benefits and terminations.
Why Deel Is the Best Overall Choice for Thailand
1. Deel Has the Clearest Starting Price
Deel's published fee is $599 per EOR employee per month. The company offers month-to-month pricing without a long-term commitment, which makes the initial budget easier to calculate than a quote-based service or one that requires annual billing for its lowest rate.
Remote charges $699 per month unless the customer pays annually, which brings the monthly equivalent to $599. Oyster's standard monthly price is $699.
2. Deel Covers More Than Payroll Administration
A Thailand EOR should prepare a compliant employment agreement, administer payroll, calculate deductions, manage statutory benefits, support leave administration and guide the employer through termination procedures.
Deel states that its EOR fee includes employee onboarding, local compliance, payroll processing, tax filings, benefits administration and ongoing HR, legal and tax support.
3. Thailand Has Country-Specific Payroll Obligations
Thailand employers generally need to account for:
- Employer and employee Social Security Fund contributions
- Workmen's Compensation Fund contributions
- Personal income tax withholding
- Local employment contracts
- Statutory leave and public holidays
- Benefits and termination requirements
- Work permits and immigration processes for eligible foreign employees
Deel and Remote both describe Thailand's Social Security contribution as 5% for the employer and employee, capped at THB 750 per month. Deel also identifies Workmen's Compensation Fund contributions as an additional employer cost that varies by risk classification.
The Thai Revenue Department requires employment income tax to be withheld at source. Thailand's Labour Protection Act establishes core employment rights, including at least six paid annual leave days after one year of uninterrupted service and at least 13 traditional holidays per year.
When Remote May Be Better Than Deel
Choose Remote instead of Deel if:
- You prefer Remote's HR service model and country-specific support.
- You are willing to pay annually to receive the $599 monthly equivalent.
- You want an EOR provider with a dedicated Thailand country guide.
- You already use Remote for international contractors, payroll or HR.
Remote's Thailand page lists a $699 monthly EOR fee and describes dedicated specialists, local payroll, compliance protection and localised benefits.
Remote may suit companies that value hands-on support more than the widest range of HR technology.
When Oyster May Be Better Than Deel
Choose Oyster if:
- You are a startup hiring a small international team.
- You want guided onboarding.
- You value a centralised HR process for employees.
- You accept Oyster's refundable deposit and currency-conversion terms.
Oyster says it can act as the legal employer or use a trusted local EOR vendor where it does not have a direct entity. Confirm which organisation will sign the Thai employee's employment agreement before you proceed.
When Papaya Global May Be Better Than Deel
Choose Papaya Global if:
- You manage payroll across many countries.
- Finance needs consolidated reporting and payment controls.
- You already operate a large, centralised payroll function.
- Thailand is part of a wider international workforce programme.
Papaya Global focuses on global payroll, payments and workforce administration. Its platform states that Papaya acts as the legal employer for EOR workers and takes responsibility for contracts, statutory payments, benefits and terminations.
For one Thai hire, Papaya may offer more infrastructure than you need. For a multinational workforce, its payroll consolidation may justify a closer comparison.
What Does an EOR in Thailand Actually Cost?
An EOR in Thailand costs more than the published management fee. A practical calculation is:
Total monthly employer cost = gross salary + EOR fee + employer statutory contributions + benefits + immigration costs + approved expenses and other local charges.
Ask the EOR to itemise:
- EOR management fee
- Gross salary in Thai baht
- Employer Social Security contribution
- Workmen's Compensation Fund contribution
- Health insurance or supplemental benefits
- Provident Fund contributions, if offered
- Work permit and visa fees
- Currency-conversion or payment fees
- Onboarding, amendment and offboarding charges
- Termination, notice and severance costs
The EOR should also state whether taxes are withheld from the employee's salary or grossed up and paid by the company. Thai employment income is subject to withholding tax administration through the Revenue Department.
What to Verify Before Choosing a Thailand EOR
Before signing with Deel, Remote, Oyster or another provider, ask for written answers to these questions:
- Which legal entity will employ the worker in Thailand?
- Is the Thai employment handled directly or through a local partner?
- Who sponsors and manages work permits for foreign employees?
- Are visa and immigration fees included in the quoted price?
- Is the Social Security contribution included or billed separately?
- How are currency exchange rates calculated?
- Are there deposits or minimum commitments?
- What is included in termination support?
- Who carries the financial risk if payroll or tax filings are incorrect?
- Can the employee receive a Thai-baht payslip and local employment documentation?
These details matter because an EOR brand may use different legal entities or local providers in different countries. Oyster, for example, distinguishes between its own legal employer entity and trusted local EOR vendors.
Final Verdict
Choose Deel if you want a published $599 monthly fee, month-to-month terms and one platform for payroll, compliance and HR services.
Choose Remote if its support model suits your company and you are willing to pay annually for the lower monthly equivalent. Choose Oyster if guided onboarding matters more than the lowest published fee. Choose Papaya Global when Thailand is part of a large, multi-country payroll operation.
Before onboarding a worker, request a Thailand-specific quote that separates the EOR fee from salary, statutory contributions, benefits, immigration costs and termination obligations.