The Cabinet has greenlit an early retirement program targeting senior Defence Ministry officials, set to commence this October. This initiative, which aims to overhaul the armed forces, will offer retirement packages to more than 700 high-ranking personnel, as per insider sources.
The ambitious three-year plan aims to phase out 732 senior officials, averaging about 244 retirements annually, resulting in a significant reduction of the defence budget by 4.47 billion baht. The strategy intends to streamline military operations by decreasing the number of specialized advisors, specialists, and operating officers across various units. Eligibility is stringent, requiring applicants to hold ranks of colonel, captain, or group captain, serving as advisors or specialists, aged at least 50 with over 25 years of service, excluding double-time periods.
Retirement benefits are calculated using a formula based on the years of service and the final salary plus position allowance, capped at 10 times the final salary. In case of oversubscription, priority will be given based on rank and age, with retired officials permanently exiting the service, precluding reinstatement.
Funding of 600 million baht over three years, at 200 million baht annually, will support the scheme from the Defence Ministry’s budget. This strategic reduction aims to create a more efficient military, ensuring optimal resource allocation for maximum impact, according to The Nation. Concurrently, Thailand and France have convened to enhance their defence industries, with Thailand planning to procure defence products worth 200 billion baht over the next two decades. Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang and French Ambassador to Thailand Jean-Claude Poimboeuf inaugurated the 2024 Thailand-France Seminar on the Defence Industry at the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defence.
Addressing public concerns, the Defence Ministry has unveiled comprehensive guidelines detailing permissible deductions from conscripts’ salaries.
