The government has unlocked the teacher transfer system, restoring over 7,000 retired teacher positions to address teacher shortages. It also grants special privileges to teachers in remote and hazardous areas by reducing the time required to apply for professional advancement from four years to three.
On 29 August 2026, Captain Phatdarasmi Thongsaluaykorn, Deputy Spokesperson of the Office of the Prime Minister, revealed that the government, through the Ministry of Education, is advancing efforts to improve teachers' quality of life and concretely tackle educational inequality. Recently, the Teachers and Educational Personnel Commission (K.O.K.S.) approved three major measures that are positive news for teachers and schools nationwide.
These measures include reinstating 7,276 retired teacher positions by allocating vacancies resulting from retirements at the end of the 2025 fiscal year to agencies under the Ministry of Education. This aims to replenish classroom staff, reduce teachers' workloads, and compensate for workforce shortages.
Additionally, the teacher transfer system has been streamlined by revising the criteria and procedures for transferring government teachers (teacher positions). The previous condition of retaining original positions and salary grades in case of transfers between educational service areas has been removed. Educational zones are now allowed to manage vacant positions directly, facilitating faster and fairer allocation of teachers to schools facing shortages.
The Deputy Spokesperson further disclosed that the Ministry of Education has granted special rights to teachers committed to serving in remote, isolated, and hazardous areas covering 3,657 locations. A measure has been introduced to reduce the required time for obtaining or advancing professional status through the DPA system from four years to just three, as recognition of teachers’ sacrifices.
In summary, the approval of workforce replacement allocations, unlocking the teacher transfer system, and granting benefits that reduce professional evaluation time for teachers in remote areas will serve as key drivers to boost morale. This ensures that talented and dedicated individuals have opportunities to grow in their careers and remain fully committed to their work.