Royal decree boosts allowances for senior Thai police officers
A fresh royal decree has been enacted, bringing significant changes to the allowance structure for police officers in Thailand.
Effective from yesterday, March 25, the decree, which was published on the Royal Gazette website, outlines new pay guidelines for senior police positions, all under the authority of King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
“The new decree aims to overhaul the position allowances for various police ranks,” said an official statement.
It details a revamped structure using powers granted under Section 175 of the Thai Constitution and Section 98, paragraph three of the National Police Act, 2022. This decree replaces the previous version from 2015, marking a substantial shift in the way police compensation is managed.
The most notable change concerns senior positions within the police force. High-ranking officers, including the National Police Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner, and National Police Inspector, will now receive a management-level allowance. This move is part of a broader attempt to standardise allowances for those in leadership positions.
In addition to this, officers ranked from Police Lieutenant Colonel upwards will be eligible for a “specific professional” (วช.) allowance.
The category includes those working in specialised fields such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary services, pharmacy, and engineering. Officers holding roles in these professional fields will see their pay structure align with their specialised expertise.
Another key provision in the decree is the introduction of a “specialist” (ชช.) allowance for officers ranked Deputy Commander or higher. Those involved in intelligence, investigations, crime prevention, and accounting will be entitled to this allowance, recognising their specialist roles within the police force.
Additionally, officers ranked as Police Captains and serving as academic staff at police training schools, including professors and associate professors, will now benefit from an academic allowance. This is designed to recognise the importance of their educational contributions to future generations of police officers, reported KhaoSod.
The royal decree is backed by Section 98 of the National Police Act, which mandates that such allowances be determined and implemented. By modernising the pay structure, the government aims to better reflect the diverse roles within the police force and incentivise professionalism and expertise.
This reform is expected to create a more transparent and equitable compensation system for the Thai police force while also providing clarity on allowances for various specialised roles.
Latest Thailand News
