Ministry to seek B600m to fund early retirements

The Defence Ministry is planning to request 600 million baht from the central budget to fund its early retirement scheme over the next three years.

Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang said the scheme is part of the plan to downsize and streamline the armed forces, the first phase of which will be implemented between 2025-2027.

Under the scheme, any soldiers aged 50 and over who wish to retire early will be given a higher rank right at the end of their service, which would give them better retirement benefits.

In order for the scheme to work, the government will need an additional 200 million baht each year to cover the added benefits for those who are retiring early.

While the 600-million-baht budget…