The planned extension of the mandatory retirement age for government and state enterprise officials from 60 to 63 years is still awaiting a proper study and is not yet in force, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said on Tuesday.
The proposal was part of the national reform plan, but no timeframe had been set for the study or its implementation, he said.
Changes could still be made to the plan after the study was completed.
The reform plan would prioritise civil service positions deemed essential, he said.
The deputy prime minister was commenting on the national reform plan announced in the Royal Gazette last Friday.
Under the plan, civil servants who turn 60 in 2019 or 2020 would continue working for one more year.
Those due to retire at age 60 in 2021 or 2022 would stay on in office until they reached 61, while those who turn 60 in 2023 or 2024 would be able to continue working until they were 63.
After 2024, the mandatory retirement age for all government officials would be 63 years.
This would not apply to officials of national security agencies or positions that require a high level of physical fitness.
The plan would not affect the recruitment of new officials to replace those who were set to retire.
The Office of the Civil Service Commission and the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission would be responsible for implementing the plan.
They would conduct a study to determine in which civil service positions the extension should apply and amend the law governing their pension plans.
The national reform plan, covering 11 key areas, has been approved by the cabinet as proposed by the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board and the National Legislative Assembly.
The 11 areas are - politics, public administration, law, justice procedures, the economy, natural resources and environment, public health, mass media and IT, social issues, energy and anti-corruption.