The Cabinet meeting approved the Defense Ministry's recruitment of "volunteer soldiers" tasked with protection and security duties, consistent with the government's 100,000 Volunteer Soldiers policy.
On 25 August 2026, Ms. Ploytale Lakshamisangchan, Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office, announced that the Cabinet approved a draft ministerial regulation defining the duration of service, salary, other compensation, benefits, rules, and discipline for individuals serving as temporary soldiers, as proposed by the Defense Ministry. This draft has been reviewed by the Office of the Council of State and can proceed. Additionally, the Defense Ministry is to consider feedback from the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission for further action.
Ms. Ploytale added that currently, government agencies authorized to recruit individuals as temporary soldiers include: 1. The Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters, 2. The Army, 3. The Navy, and 4. The Air Force, under the 2000 ministerial regulation on service duration, salary, compensation, benefits, rules, and discipline for temporary soldiers. These recruits perform specific missions with titles and ranks assigned as appropriate. However, the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defense currently lacks legal provisions to recruit temporary soldiers.
Therefore, the Defense Ministry proposed an amended ministerial regulation to the 2010 regulation on temporary soldier service terms, salaries, compensation, benefits, rules, and discipline. The key change authorizes the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defense to recruit individuals as temporary soldiers (volunteer soldiers) to serve within its affiliated units, such as the Weapons Development Coordination Center, the Defense Industry and Military Energy Center, and the Guard Battalion. Their duties focus on protection and security in areas designated by the Office, aligning with the government's 100,000 Volunteer Soldiers policy.