Thais work 3rd longest hours worldwide, feel guilty taking leave or sick days
Report shows Thais are among the world’s hardest-working, with 46.7% clocking over 48 hours weekly — many feel guilty taking leave, even when ill.
- Thailand ranks third globally for the longest working hours, with nearly 46.7% of its workforce exceeding the standard 48-hour work week.
- A strong culture of “presenteeism” and guilt over burdening colleagues causes many Thai employees to hesitate when taking annual leave or sick days.
- Between 35% and 48% of employees admit to working while ill, often out of fear of being judged by superiors or inconveniencing their team.
- Surveys show that 80% of employees feel they deserve more leave but are afraid to take it, and 74% have cancelled holidays due to their workload.
According to a report by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Thailand ranks third globally for the longest working hours. Nearly 46.7% of Thai workers work more than 48 hours per week, compared with the global average of 40 hours, making Thai working hours significantly higher than the world average.
Beyond long hours, Thailand’s deeply rooted “presenteeism” culture — the need to “be seen at work” — remains widespread. Between 35% and 48% of employees admit to working while ill, often out of fear of burdening colleagues or being judged by superiors.
Experts warn that this behaviour reduces productivity and increases the risk of burnout.
Despite high stress levels, taking time off remains difficult for many Thai employees. A deep-seated sense of guilt and reluctance to inconvenience others makes workers hesitant to use their annual leave.
Many also worry about unfinished tasks or believe that holidays should be reserved for rare, major trips, leaving many to accumulate unused leave days.
The survey found that 80% of employees feel they deserve more leave but don’t dare to take it, fearing it might burden their team. Meanwhile, 74% have cancelled holidays due to workload, and 24% still check work emails while on vacation.
Shifting to shorter, more frequent trips
Online travel platform Klook has revealed new insights into the travel habits of younger Thai travellers in 2025, showing a clear shift from traditional long-planned annual holidays to shorter, more frequent getaways booked only weeks in advance.
The report shows that nearly 50% of Thai Gen Z travellers plan and book activities less than two months before departure, with 18% booking just 4–7 days in advance. This reflects a growing preference for flexibility, spontaneity, and last-minute travel decisions.
The trend also indicates that Thai travellers now favour shorter but more frequent holidays, replacing the old once-a-year “big trip” with multiple weekend escapes throughout the year.
Kenny Sham, General Manager for Hong Kong, Macau and Thailand at Klook, said the change highlights how younger travellers now view overseas travel as a lifestyle experience rather than an annual luxury.
“Today’s travellers don’t need a 10-day itinerary to feel recharged,” he said. “Even a four-day, three-night trip can offer the same refreshment — and doing this several times a year suits the modern work culture far better than taking one long holiday.”
Sham added that many Thais travel to relieve work-related stress and burnout, yet some still hesitate to take their rightful leave due to lingering guilt or workplace expectations.
To encourage people to use their holidays and avoid burnout, Klook is launching the “Pai Ma La Klook” (Go on leave with Klook) campaign, alongside the Klook Online Travel Fest, which runs from October 17–20, 2025.
