Thailand explores salary reforms amid rising civil service costs

[snoop1130]

 

The Comptroller-General’s Department, the Budget Bureau, and the Office of the Civil Service Commission (OCSC) are actively exploring reforms to salaries and benefits across all government sectors.

 

Patricia Mongkhonvanit, Director-General of the Comptroller-General’s Department, highlighted the urgency of addressing the issue due to the substantial budget allocated for these expenses. She noted that the government’s fiscal health and long-term fiscal burden must be scrutinised.

 

“The annual healthcare budget for civil servants alone stands at around 100 billion baht, excluding pensions, and continues to rise with increasing life expectancy.”

 

The emergence of new diseases and escalating costs of medicine further exacerbate the situation, increasing the need for salary reform.

 

Negotiations on prices or capping expenses are among the measures under consideration, according to Patricia. A thorough review of the entire civil service process, from recruitment to salaries and benefits, is necessary.

 

 

 

 

Ongoing discussions between the Comptroller-General’s Department, the Budget Bureau, and the OCSC are focusing on the long-term impacts and the future recruitment of civil servants.

 

While no final decisions have been made, Patricia stated that several options are being explored, including making salaries competitive with the private sector, aligning compensation packages with those of private companies, or maintaining the current salary system.

 

“We are integrating all options before making a final decision on which package to adopt.”

 

In fiscal year 2023, total expenditure on salaries, pension contributions, and compensation for government personnel amounted to 818 billion baht, marking a 0.78% increase from the previous fiscal year.

 

Over the past six years (fiscal 2018 to 2023), there has been no adjustment to the salary base, and the number of civil servants has increased slightly. In fiscal 2022, the number of civil servants stood at 1,513,722, a 0.21% year-on-year increase.

 

Total welfare expenditure for government personnel in fiscal 2023 reached 514 billion baht, a 7.61% year-on-year growth. Healthcare and pension costs are rising as Thailand transitions to an aged society. Public welfare expenditure amounted to 398 billion baht in fiscal 2023, up by 7.42% year-on-year, reported Bangkok Post.

 

By Ryan Turner

Image courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2024-09-23

 

[Gottfrid]

But of course they need more, while the regular worker have to fight years to get 400 baht per day.

[BangkokReady]

1 hour ago, Gottfrid said:

But of course they need more, while the regular worker have to fight years to get 400 baht per day.

 

It sounds like they're actually looking for a way to give them less.

[MarkBR]

If they wish to free up lots of money, maybe a serious fight against corruption.  Then everyone except the corrupt will be a lot happier.

Edited 1 hour ago by MarkBR
Typographic error

[John Drake]

19 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:

 

It sounds like they're actually looking for a way to give them less.

 

The Civil Service was/is largely loyal to Prayuth. PTP now rewarding friends and punishing enemies???

Edited 1 hour ago by John Drake

[stoner]

21 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:

 

It sounds like they're actually looking for a way to give them less.

 

that's what i was thinking. 

 

starting salaries to be reduced to help cover other costs etc. buy your own office supplies. things like that. which will only open the door to more corruption..... yes speculation i know before a fact check freddy comes along. 

 

here is a wild idea. stay with me i'm really going out there with this one. 

 

how about a drastic cut to the military. ok i know. i'll show myself out now and put my straight jacket back on. 

 

 

[phetphet]

The tailoring bill for all those white uniforms and gold braid must be pretty substantial too.

[Will B Good]

2 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

or maintaining the current salary system.

 

 

Not too sure that is a reform?

 

[mfd101]

Productivity is the key concept, unfortunately unknown in Thailand as far as I can tell.

 

So, fewer numbers (sack 30% of them or freeze then reduce recruitment by 30%) and require increased USEFUL outputs by adopting concepts of efficiency (input/output ratios) and outcomes, with pay levels set accordingly. Uniforms abolished: Not required in a modern egalitarian society where the job of civil servants is to serve the populace ...

 

Yes, I know, but I'm allowed to dream in my old age. Besides, I know of what I speak. I spent most of my working life in the Canberra federal bureaucracy, and most of that in the Department of Defence. Enough to give anyone nightmares.

[dinsdale]

Thaksin at it again. More populist nonsense. If there are any savings it will go directly to into the pockets of the corrupt government ministers and their minions pockets. Call me cynical if you like but argue against my cynicism.