Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilprapunt confirmed the continuation of the "Early Retirement for Civil Servants aged 40+" initiative, pointing out that late retirement delays adaptation to AI. He emphasized the program is voluntary and does not intend to leave problems for future generations to solve.
On 8 July 2026, Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilprapunt spoke about progress and public criticism regarding the Early Retirement project for civil servants aged 40 and above, aimed at reforming the civil service system to keep pace with technological advances.
Pakorn explained the choice of the 40-plus age group, noting that with AI's growing role causing widespread job displacement—not only in Thailand but also in countries like Singapore where graduates turn to entrepreneurship—the age 40 cutoff allows civil servants enough time and capability to upskill and adapt to new work methods. Waiting until age 50 or older to switch careers or learn new skills is much harder due to family responsibilities.
“If people are over 50, they often don’t know what they would do after leaving because changing skills nowadays is difficult. But those who "volunteer" for early retirement are ready and have a path forward in the future world. We must give them that opportunity,” Pakorn said.
When asked about the target group size, Pakorn said there are initially tens of thousands of civil servants aged 40 and above, though exact numbers and readiness are not yet stable. He emphasized the need for careful planning since this is not a sudden decision. Addressing criticism that the idea is unrealistic, he noted the civil service system’s problems have long been neglected. If reforms do not start now, these issues will fall on future generations in ten years. He stressed honesty that these problems have existed for a long time, and delaying action will mean the current generation leaves these burdens for their successors.
Pakorn stressed that he will not listen to mere criticism or mockery of the idea, but welcomes constructive suggestions on how to implement and shape the initiative. He encouraged people to submit their ideas.