Category: The Bangkok Post

The government’s proposal to expand voluntary early retirement for civil servants is needed to tackle long-standing structural problems that can no longer be postponed, Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilprapunt said on Wednesday.

He said the proposal is not intended for all officials aged 40 and above, but is expected to focus primarily on those aged 40-45, taking pension and gratuity entitlements into account.

He said encouraging older officials, particularly those aged 50 and above, to retire early would be less practical because many would struggle to switch careers. ‘Changing careers is not easy, especially in the AI era,’ he said. ‘Many people are already losing jobs because of technological disruption, so the question is how they can be upskilled and reskilled.’

Mr Pakorn said the challenge is not unique to Thailand, as rapid advances in artificial intelligence and digital technology are reshaping labour markets worldwide. Some university graduates have adapted by becoming entrepreneurs, using AI and social media to support small businesses. However, he said older workers often have greater family responsibilities, making career changes more difficult. For that reason, the government will maintain the principle of voluntary participation.

‘If someone chooses to resign voluntarily, it means they have already prepared a path forward, and they should be allowed to pursue it,’ he said, adding that preliminary estimates suggest more than 10,000 civil servants could qualify for the programme, although the figure remains under review.

He said any early retirement scheme would require careful preparation, including upskilling and reskilling, to help participants adapt to future labour market demands. ‘This is not something that will happen overnight,’ he said. ‘It requires careful planning.’

Responding to criticism that the proposal is unrealistic, Mr Pakorn said delaying reform would only worsen the problem. ‘If we don’t act today and wait another 10 years, the problem will become even bigger and future generations will have to deal with it,’ he said. ‘These problems did not just emerge recently – they have accumulated over many years.’

The proposal to allow civil servants to take early retirement continues to spark debate, with academics warning the plan may be misguided and could create new social and economic challenges.

Satithorn Thananithichot, political science lecurer at Chulalongkorn University’s faculty of political science, said setting the threshold at 40 is excessive. He said that while budget concerns drive the idea, civil service salaries are relatively low, meaning the fiscal burden is not as heavy as perceived.

The bigger issue, he said, is what happens after retirement. ‘If people leave the system, will there be jobs or businesses to absorb them? The real problem lies in the inefficient use of civil servants, not their numbers as such. Many officials are tied up in routine, regulation-heavy tasks that do not generate economic productivity,’ Mr Satithorn said.

Instead of cutting staff, he suggested redistributing workloads. The remarks come as the government studies a major overhaul of the civil service to curb rising personnel costs and modernise the bureaucracy.

The leaders of ?Malaysia and Thailand said on Thursday that they had resolved an issue that had disrupted trade in seafood, and that they would work on ?developing a special border economic .

In May, Thailand restricted the import of Malaysian-caught sea bass due to concerns over chemical ?residues, prompting Kuala Lumpur ?to temporarily ban some varieties of Thai shrimp over food safety controls last month.

‘We have resolved this outstanding issue of fisheries … agree it should be effected in one week,’ Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim told reporters following a meeting with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, in ?Malaysia’s administrative capital Putrajaya.

Mr Anutin is on a two-day visit to Malaysia that is aimed at strengthening economic cooperation and smoothing over longstanding border issues between the neighbours.

The leaders agreed to proceed with developing a special ?border economic zone, and to facilitate customs and immigration exchanges, Mr Anwar said. They also witnessed the signing ?of memorandum of understanding on agricultural cooperation.

On Friday, the two leaders will travel to the northern Malaysian state of ?Kedah ?to jointly open a new border crossing linked to the Thai customs and immigration checkpoint in Sadao, in Songkhla ?province.

Their visit comes amid renewed security concerns following a recent spike in violence tied to the decades-old separatist insurgency in Thailand’s predominantly Malay-Muslim southern border provinces.

‘Ending the violence ?and addressing the challenges in Thailand’s southern border provinces ?remains a top priority for my government,’ Mr Anutin said at the media briefing.

Other agreements reached during the talks included reopening ferry services between Satun and Kuala Perlis and integrating ticketing for the Bangkok-Hat Yai-Butterworth rail route.

The two governments also set a target of raising bilateral trade to $30 billion in the near future, from around $25 billion last year.

The Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry has shelved the second phase of its ambitious TH-AI Passport project, calling it a “strategic internal decision” to evaluate demand and the first phase.

The first phase is scheduled to launch within two weeks, said Nan Boonthida Somchai, deputy DES minister, adding that Phase 2 remains a concept rather than a defunct plan.

If the initial phase yields high user satisfaction and clear educational value, the government will reconsider expanding the project, Ms Nan said.

While social media speculation suggested the 900-million-baht Phase 2 was cancelled due to public criticism, she said the decision to withdraw the proposal from the parliamentary budget debate was made internally by the ministry following consultations with the Budget Bureau.

The government wants to monitor user feedback and assess the cost-effectiveness of the first phase before committing to an expansion, Ms Nan noted.

In the first phase, the government plans to give 5 million Thais one year of free access to premium artificial intelligence tools through a 1.6-billion-baht programme.

However, the project attracted criticism on several fronts, including its budget allocation, cost efficiency and procurement process.

Earlier, DES Minister Chaichanok Chidchob defended the first phase, insisting the project is a transparent and cost-effective investment.

Ms Nan said the ministry’s primary objective is to use Phase 1 as a litmus test for the project’s viability.

PAY PER ACTIVE USER

Ms Nan said the project will debut with a “learn to earn” platform designed to ensure high user engagement.

Users must complete designated courses on the platform to earn credits for continued access.

To manage system load and ensure efficiency, the platform will utilise a “replacement” system.

Instead of expanding the user base indefinitely, inactive participants will be rotated out to make room for new applicants, Ms Nan said.

She said preliminary surveys conducted in April indicated significant interest, with nearly 2.7 million potential users identified within the student and civil service sectors alone.

As the countdown to the late-July launch continues, the government is focusing on finalising contract details, including an addendum covering the terms of the pay-per-active-user model.

The winning bidder was TH Consortium, which consists of Turnkey Communication Services Plc, a Thai ICT engineering solutions specialist, and Human Intelligence Co Ltd, a joint venture between Thai and Hong Kong investors building digital education infrastructure in Thailand.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has urged the public to support the defence industry, saying the country has the potential to become more self-reliant in military production and reduce its dependence on foreign suppliers.

Speaking at the opening of THAI- DEF-EX 2026 held at the Defence Ministry on Wednesday, Mr Anutin said the exhibition highlighted the capabilities of Thai defence manufacturers and reinforced his confidence the country could strengthen its security.

“I am confident that Thailand can protect itself from external threats,” he said. “We should not have to rely on procuring weapons and military equipment from abroad.”

The prime minister said the government would encourage the armed forces and other security agencies to prioritise Thai-made equipment, allowing domestic manufacturers to improve product quality and expand their capabilities.

Mr Anutin said he had learned that several Thai defence companies were already exporting military equipment overseas, although some had yet to secure contracts in the domestic market.

“In principle, the government should support these companies because they contribute to our own security,” he said, adding budget support would be needed to contribute to the sector’s strength.

He said he felt reassured after touring the exhibition, adding Thailand would be prepared should an unexpected security crisis arise.

“We hope for peace, but we must always be prepared for war,” he said, citing the military maxim.

During the exhibition, Mr Anutin tested a Thai-developed laser firearm training system and inspected the First Win wheeled armoured vehicle manufactured by Thai company Chaiseri Metal and Rubber Co.

In his opening address, Mr Anutin said the changing global landscape had made self-reliance increasingly important as geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions made international trade less predictable.

“Many countries are turning to self-reliance for security and sustainability instead of depending on imports,” he said.

He said investment in Thailand’s defence industry would not only enhance national security but also promote technological development, innovation and economic growth.

Domestic manufacturing capability, strategic location and good international relations position the country to compete in global defence markets, he said.

Education authorities have ordered a disciplinary investigation into a school principal in Kanchanaburi who is accused of sexually abusing 11 schoolgirls.

Deputy Education Minister Akaranun Khankittinan on Thursday visited the Pavena Foundation for Children and Women in Bangkok to hear complaints from the parents and 11 students, ranging from Pathom Suksa 5 to Mathayom Suksa 3 (Grades 5-9) at the school.

The students have alleged that the school director sexually harassed them by touching their breasts over a period of more than two years at the teachers’ residence located in the compound of the school.

Pavena Hongsakula, president of the foundation, and representatives from the Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec) joined the meeting to discuss assistance and expedite legal proceedings.

Mr Akaranun described the allegations as grave and unacceptable, saying he had instructed Obec and the local education office to set up a committee to conduct a disciplinary investigation.

Although the school director submitted his resignation on July 3 and was due to retire in two months, the disciplinary process would continue, said Mr Akaranun.

If found guilty, he will face dismissal from the civil service, resulting in the loss of all pension and retirement benefits.

The deputy minister also ordered disciplinary investigations against any teachers who were aware of the abuse but failed to act, saying they would be held accountable for neglecting their duties without exception.

To help the victims recover from the long-term trauma, authorities are arranging for psychologists and specialists for ongoing mental health care.

The parents also want to pursue criminal action to the fullest extent of the law, according to the Pavena Foundation.

Mr Akaranun said the ministry would provide legal assistance and other necessary support to the victims’ families in any subsequent criminal proceedings.

As the alleged offences involved many victims and separate incidents, each charge would be prosecuted individually under criminal law.

‘I am confident the school director will face imprisonment,’ he said.

Water has leaked into the Purple Line subway tunnel under construction beneath the Wong Wian Yai intersection in Thon Buri district of Bangkok, where crews were working on Thursday to ensure the safety of adjacent buildings.

The incident has been linked to subsidence on Prachadhipok Road above the tunnel, resulting in the closure of the road to all traffic between the Ban Khaek intersection and Wong Wian Yai at 5.30pm to facilitate repair work. A government Cell Broadcast alert was sent to mobile phone users at 4.58pm.

Visiting the site earlier, Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat said the surface of Prachadhipok Road had subsided by 20 centimetres on Thursday morning and engineers would have to take urgent action to ensure safety and prevent further damage.

‘Water was pumped out. This morning the water level in the tunnel receded but road subsidence increased,’ he said.

Mr Siripong said engineers would have to equalise pressures inside and outside the tunnel and strengthen the tunnel with concrete mixed with chemicals to stop sand and soil from leaking into the tunnel and halt the road subsidence.

The Metropolitan Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) said the leak into the tunnel 30 metres underground happened on Wednesday at the joint of a sump pit, which is a part of the Tao Poon-Rat Burana section of the Purple Line extension project.

‘The contractor is carrying out ground improvement to stop water leakage. … At present, water leakage is under control,’ the MRTA said.

The state enterprise ordered its contractor and construction supervision consultant to closely monitor the conditions of nearby buildings.

Mr Siripong said some new cracks had been reported at some local buildings and officials were checking structures in the area. Engineers would consider if evacuation would be necessary.

Six contracts

The civil works for the Purple Line extension have been split into six different contracts, with the MRTA awarding them to five major Thai construction companies.

Italian-Thai Development Plc and Nawarat Patanakarn Plc formed a joint venture to build the 3.1-kilometre underground section passing beneath the Chao Phraya River.

A video from the MRTA showed a Purple Line tunnel partly flooded, with neck-deep water levels in some sections.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul as well as the minister and deputy ministers of transport arrived at the scene at 11pm on Wednesday. Mr Anutin ordered the MRTA to intensify safety measures for local buildings and prepare for any emergency incidents.

Mr Anutin said the degree of water leakage was under control, so the situation was different from the huge sinkhole incident on Sam Sen Road in Dusit district last year.

The Board of Investment (BOI) has had approved US$1.99 billion worth of new investment projects, led by Nestle and Thai Airways International (THAI).

Among the projects announced on Wednesday:

The Thai unit Switzerland-based Nestle is investing $689 million (23 billion baht) in expanding its Samut ?Prakan production facilities for instant, mixed and ready-to-drink coffee, the BoI said.

Flag carrier Thai Airways received approvals ?for expansion projects worth $430 million to lease eight passenger planes.

?Datasection (Thailand) Ltd, a subsidiary of Japan-based Datasection Inc, will ?invest $235 ?million (7.8 billion baht) to establish high-performance GPU server infrastructure ?for data hosting in Bangkok and Pathum Thani.

The Thai unit of South Korea-based Donsan ?Group local unit will invest $180 ?million to produce copper-clad laminate and prepreg, which are inputs for printed circuit ?boards.

The government has approved a flood preparedness plan for Songkhla province, including fast-tracked funding to repair damaged infrastructure and restore the southern commercial hub of Hat Yai within 100 days after devastating floods late last year.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced the measures on Wednesday after a special meeting of the Joint Public-Private Consultative Committee on Economic Problems (JPPCC), which focused on flood and drought management ahead of the rainy season.

Mr Anutin said the government had coordinated with the public and private sectors to strengthen flood prevention efforts, particularly in Songkhla and other southern provinces vulnerable to seasonal flooding.

“We cannot overcome nature,” he said. “But we can take steps to be fully prepared.”

He said authorities had finalised emergency response plans covering evacuation centres, food supplies, disaster relief, drainage systems and infrastructure repairs. The government had also agreed to expedite budget approvals so relevant agencies could carry out urgent flood prevention work before heavy rains arrive.

Asked whether this year’s flooding would be less severe than last year’s, Mr Anutin said authorities had stepped up preparedness nationwide, although the scale of natural disasters could not be controlled.

He also dismissed suggestions that compensation payments from previous floods remained outstanding, saying all eligible victims who had registered had received assistance.

The meeting used last year’s devastating floods in Hat Yai as a case study to improve future disaster response, with participants seeking a more coordinated approach to water management through the use of technology and shared data.

JPPCC spokesman and Thai Trade Representative Werapong Prapha said Hat Yai remained a main priority because of its role as a commercial, tourism and logistics hub for southern Thailand.

The opposition and a group of independent senators on Wednesday urged House Speaker Sophon Zarum to forward a petition seeking an investigation into the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to the Supreme Court, saying there was no justification for further delays.

Parit Wacharasindhu, a People’s Party list-MP and the opposition chief whip, said the petition had been submitted on June 5 after opposition MPs and senators accused NACC commissioners of malfeasance for dismissing a complaint against former transport minister Saksayam Chidchob.

The complaint alleged Mr Saksayam concealed his shareholdings and submitted a false asset declaration by using nominees to hold assets on his behalf. The NACC dismissed the case, even though the Constitutional Court had ruled earlier to terminate Mr Saksayam’s ministerial status for the same offence.

The anti-graft body’s ruling prompting lawmakers to seek an independent inquiry into the commissioners’ handling of the matter.

Mr Parit said the House speaker only had two options: forward the petition to the Supreme Court president so an independent inquiry panel could be appointed, or reject the request and effectively halt the investigation.

Although the constitution sets no deadline for the speaker’s decision, he said there was precedent for acting much more quickly. In a previous case involving allegations that NACC commissioners accepted gold bribes from police officers, it took only 41 days from the submission of a petition by senators for an independent inquiry panel to be established.

By comparison, 33 days had already passed since the latest petition was submitted to the parliament speaker, Mr Parit said, adding officials had already verified the signatures and the documents were now on Mr Sophon’s desk.

“If the speaker refuses to forward the petition, he must explain to the public why he sees no reason to question the NACC’s handling of the Saksayam case,” Mr Parit said, adding that an unjustified delay or rejection could expose the speaker to accusations of malfeasance under Section 157 of the Criminal Code.

Independent senator Nantana Nantavaropas also questioned whether political considerations were behind the delay and warned that continued inaction could amount to dereliction of duty.

Former red-shirt activist and close aide to Thaksin Shinawatra, Jakrapob Penkair, was sworn in as a Pheu Thai Party list-MP yesterday, pledging to use parliament to promote political reconciliation and national development.

Mr Jakrapob formally reported to the Secretariat of the House of Representatives after the Royal Gazette announced his appointment to replace Prasert Jantararuangtong, who resigned as a party-list MP.

He was accompanied by his wife, Supraipol Penkair, whom he married last year after the same-sex marriage law took effect.

Speaking after registering, Mr Jakrapob said that although he had served as a cabinet minister, becoming an MP was an even greater honour.

The position was both significant and sacred, he said, because it required him to represent all people, regardless of status, and seek common ground among competing interests and differing views.

He said he intended to learn from experienced politicians and party colleagues to better understand public expectations.

Mr Jakrapob also said years of political conflict had weakened Thailand’s global competitiveness by slowing national development.

Commenting on the proposed amnesty legislation, formally known as the Peaceful Society Enhancement Bill, he said the parliamentary debate should explain the cost of Thailand’s prolonged political conflicts, including deaths, injuries, family separation and psychological trauma. He described the bill as a starting point for national reconciliation.

Mr Jakrapob said ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra had urged him to work for the common good.

He said Thaksin was concerned about widening inequality between rich and poor, arguing socioeconomic disparities had made communication across society more difficult.