In 2025, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna (RMUTL) offers wages that are sufficient for living. The university has reviewed and continues to comply with the announcement regarding wage rates for employees in higher education as established in 2022. Additionally, the university considers wage increases for employees in higher education according to the Announcement of Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna on the Criteria for Wage Increases for Employees in Higher Education (2019). The principles outlined in Section 6 are as follows:
6.1 Quality Principle: To attract quality employees, compensation or other remuneration must be at a sufficiently high level to entice capable individuals to serve in the university and must be appropriate to the status of society and the economy.
6.2 Equity Principle: Consideration must be given to equity both within and outside the university.
6.3 Capability Principle: Wages or other remuneration must be commensurate with the abilities and responsibilities of employees. Those with higher capabilities must receive appropriate and fair compensation.
6.4 Suitability Principle: Consideration must be given to budgetary needs and the status of the university.
6.5 Incentive Principle: This should act as a motivator for employees to perform their duties, with a focus on performance and behavior evaluation.
The monthly wage rates applicable from 1 January to 30 September 2025, before the implementation of the revised wage policy, are presented in Table 1.
Table 1. Monthly Wage Rates by Educational Qualification and Employment Category (1 January– 30 September 2025)
| Educational Qualification | Temporary Employees (THB) | Government Employee (THB) | Higher Education Employees Academic (THB) | Higher Education Employees Support (THB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | 21,000 | 33,600 | 29,400 | |
| Master’s Degree | 17,500 | 28,000 | 24,500 | |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 15,000 | 18,000 | 21,000 | |
| Higher Vocational Certificate | 11,500 | 13,800 | ||
| Vocational Certificate | 9,400 | 11,280 | ||
| Lower or Upper Secondary Education | 8,690 |
Effective from 1 October 2025, RMUTL revised the wage rates for temporary employees in accordance with the government’s updated wage policy. The new rates were determined based on employees’ educational qualifications. The revised monthly wage rates across the different employment categories are presented in Table 2.
Table 2. Revised Monthly Wage Rates by Educational Qualification and Employment Category (Effective 1 October 2025)
| Educational Qualification | Temporary Employees (THB) | Government Employee (THB) | Higher Education Employees Academic (THB) | Higher Education Employees Support (THB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | 25,410 | 33,600 | 29,400 | |
| Master’s Degree | 21,180 | 28,000 | 24,500 | |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 18,150 | 21,780 | 21,000 | |
| Higher Vocational Certificate | 13,920 | 16,700 | ||
| Vocational Certificate | 11,380 | 13,660 | ||
| Lower or Upper Secondary Education | 10,580 |
The salary rates offered by RMUTL are above the local minimum living-cost benchmark. For comparison, according to the Notification of the Wage Committee on Minimum Wage Rate (No. 14), the applicable minimum daily wage rates in Chiang Mai Province in 2025 were as follows:
- Mueang Chiang Mai District: 380 baht per day, equivalent to approximately 8,360 baht per month (based on 22 working days per month, excluding Saturdays and Sundays).
- Other areas of Chiang Mai Province (effective from 1 July 2025): 357 baht per day, equivalent to approximately 7,854 baht per month (based on 22 working days per month, excluding Saturdays and Sundays).
The minimum wage is defined as an amount sufficient for general workers to earn a living under prevailing economic and social conditions and to maintain an appropriate standard of living, taking into account the capacity of local businesses.
This comparison demonstrates that RMUTL provides monthly salaries above the statutory minimum wage rates applicable in Chiang Mai Province, supporting employees’ ability to meet their basic living expenses.
Furthermore, starting in late 2025 and continuing into 2026, RMUTL undertook further efforts to improve employee welfare through the Faculty and Staff Council and relevant university committees.
1. Appointment of the Drafting Committee
RMUTL issued Order No. 2594/2568, dated 29 December 2025, to appoint a committee responsible for drafting the Regulation on Welfare Provision for Employees in Higher Education Institutions of Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna. Subsequently, Order No. 628/2569, dated 12 February 2026, was issued to appoint additional committee members.
2. Consideration of Employee Welfare Guidelines
The committee held its first meeting of 2026 (Meeting No. 1/2569) on 3 March 2026 to consider guidelines for providing welfare benefits to employees in higher education institutions.
3. Preparation of the Draft Regulation
RMUTL prepared a draft Regulation of Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna on the Disbursement of General Subsidies for Expenses Related to the Employment of Employees in Higher Education Institutions. The draft will subsequently be circulated to employees for consultation and feedback as part of the university’s ongoing efforts to improve employee welfare.
These policies and initiatives demonstrate RMUTL’s continuing commitment to providing fair and appropriate compensation, supporting employees’ financial well-being, and promoting decent work and sustainable economic growth in alignment with SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.