Army targets lower budget
The Army is planning to lower its budget in the long term by diminishing its size and not adding any more civil officials.
Defence Ministry Spokesman Spokesman Lt-General Kongcheep Tantawanich said today (June 15) that reserves will be promoted to soldiers and civil servants will be upgraded to civil officials.
“Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had urged the Army to undertake reforms,” he said. “Reserved soldiers will temporarily take responsibility as active-duty soldiers and civil servants will be appointed as officials.”
The plan was approved by the Cabinet on June 9 and more positions besides that of a soldier, such as doctors, legal officials, accountants, instructors, academics and administrators, are expected to increase in the 2021 fiscal year.
Employment contracts lasting 4-8 years for young reserves started in April 2020 and the selection will be completed at the end this 2020 fiscal year.
