How Many Days Can Men Take Leave to Help Their Wife After Childbirth?
Male employees in private companies may take up to 15 days of paid leave to assist their wife with childbirth, either before the birth or within 90 days after childbirth. Male civil servants may take up to 15 working days.
Table of Contents:
- How Many Days Can Men Take Leave to Help Their Wife After Childbirth?
- Q: How Many Days Can Men Take Leave to Help Their Wife After Childbirth and Care for the Child?
- A: Paternity Leave Entitlements by Employment Type
- When Can Leave to Assist a Wife After Childbirth Be Used?
- Who Pays During Leave to Assist a Wife After Childbirth?
- Summary Q&A: How Many Days Can Men Take Leave to Help Their Wife After Childbirth?
- FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Paternity Leave
Q: How Many Days Can Men Take Leave to Help Their Wife After Childbirth and Care for the Child?
The period immediately after a child is born is important for building family bonds. A father’s involvement in caring for and spending time with the child can support the baby’s development while also helping reduce the mother’s burden and providing support after childbirth. The law therefore provides leave entitlements for employees to assist their spouse after childbirth, as follows:
A: Paternity Leave Entitlements by Employment Type
Male private-sector employees may take up to 15 days per childbirth, while male civil servants may take up to 15 working days. Pay conditions differ, as shown in the table below.
| Employee Type | Leave Entitlement | When Leave Can Be Used | Pay During Leave | Applicable Law / Regulation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private-Sector Employees | Up to 15 days | Before childbirth or within 90 days after the date of childbirth | Full wages for working days, up to 15 days | Labour Protection Act |
| Civil Servants | Up to 15 working days | May be taken in separate periods until the full entitlement is used | Full salary when leave is taken within 30 days after childbirth | Civil Service Leave Regulations |
*Information as of November 2026
Private-Sector Employees: 15 Days of Paid Leave
Male employees whose wife gives birth are entitled to the following rights under the law:
- Up to 15 days of leave to assist a spouse who has given birth, per childbirth.
- The leave may be used before childbirth or within 90 days from the date of childbirth.
- The employer must pay wages equivalent to normal working-day wages throughout the leave period, for up to 15 days.
- This is a separate type of leave and is not deducted from personal business leave sick leave or annual leave
- The legal entitlement applies to a spouse who is legally married
Civil Servants: Up to 15 Working Days, Which May Be Split Into Separate Periods
A Cabinet resolution dated January 11, 2022 allows male civil servants to take up to 15 working days of leave to assist their legally married wife after childbirth. The leave may be split into separate periods until the full entitlement is used, instead of being taken continuously in one period. Salary conditions are as follows:
- Full salary is paid for up to 15 working days when the leave is taken within 30 days after the wife gives birth.
- If the leave is taken more than 30 days after childbirth, salary is generally not paid during the leave.
- An exception may be granted if a supervisor at Director-General level or equivalent or higher approves payment, for no more than 15 working days.
When Can Leave to Assist a Wife After Childbirth Be Used?
Private-sector employees may use this entitlement from before childbirth until the 90th day after the date of childbirth. After this period, this type of leave can no longer be used.
| Period | Eligible? | Example Use |
|---|---|---|
| Before childbirth | Yes | Taking the wife to the hospital or caring for her near the delivery date |
| From the day of childbirth through day 90 after childbirth | Yes | Helping the wife recover and caring for the newborn |
| After day 90 | No | Personal leave, annual leave, or company-provided benefits must be used instead. |
*Information as of November 2026
Who Pays During Leave to Assist a Wife After Childbirth?
Wagesduring this leave are paid by the employer only. Social Security does not provide compensation for the husband’s leave, but an insured husbandmay claim the childbirth benefit on behalf of his wife in certain cases.
| Payment / Benefit | Paid By | Amount / Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Wages During Leave | Employer | Equivalent to normal working-day wages for up to 15 days. Monthly employees receive their full salary without deduction, while daily employees receive wages for the working days on which leave is taken. |
| Lump-Sum Childbirth Benefit | Social Security | THB 15,000 per childbirth. The husband may claim the benefit if the wife is not insured and the husband has paid contributions for at least 5 months within the 15 months before childbirth. |
| 50% Maternity Leave Allowance | Social Security | Paid only to female insured persons who give birth; the husband is not entitled to this allowance. |
*Information as of November 2026
Summary Q&A: How Many Days Can Men Take Leave to Help Their Wife After Childbirth?
Male private-sector employees may take up to 15 days of leave per childbirth to assist their wife, either before childbirth or within 90 days after childbirth, with full pay from the employer under the Labour Protection Act (No. 9) B.E. 2568 (2025). Male civil servants may take up to 15 working days, which may be split into separate periods, and receive salary when the leave is taken within 30 days after childbirth.
References
- Labour Protection Act (No. 9) B.E. 2568 (2025), Royal Gazette
- Social Security Office: Childbirth Benefits
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Paternity Leave
Q: If the Wife Gives Birth to Twins, Does the Husband Get Additional Leave?
A: No. The entitlement is calculated per childbirth, not by the number of children. Therefore, a twin birth provides the same leave entitlement as a single birth.
Q: Are Male Probationary Employees Entitled to Leave to Assist Their Wife After Childbirth?
A: Yes. The law does not set a minimum length of service for this type of leave, so probationary employees are entitled to take the leave and receive wages in the same way as regular employees.
Q: Are Part-Time or Daily Employees Entitled to This Leave?
A: Yes, if they are employees under the Labour Protection Act, whether they are paid daily or work part-time. Wages are calculated based on the working days that coincide with the leave days.
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