The planned extension of the retirement age for government and state enterprise officials from 60 to 63 years is still awaiting a proper study and is not yet certain, according to Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam.
The proposal was part of the national reform plan, and is not yet finalised, he said yesterday.
Changes could still be made to the proposal after the study was completed, Mr Wissanu said. No time frame had yet been set for the study, he said.
The reform plan would prioritise civil service positions seen as essential, he said. The announcement in the Royal Gazette last Friday was a legal procedure, he added.
Commenting on the issue, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday that the proper term intended for the plan was "special employment", not "an extension" of the retirement age.
He said retired officials still able to work effectively should be given "special employment" to continue working in an adviser or specialist capacity.
According to the announcement, 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 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 at national security agencies or positions that require a high level of physical fitness. The plan would not affect the recruitment of new blood to replace those retiring.
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 what civil service positions the extension should apply to and amend the law governing their pension plans.
Putchapong Nodthaisong, director of the National Statistical Office, said Thailand will be a fully ageing society in 2021, with up to 20% of the population over 60.