Kla Tham Party MPs are advancing a bill on allowances and welfare to improve the quality of life for over 291,000 Village Security Volunteers nationwide, enabling them to receive monthly payments exempt from income tax.
On 22 October 2026 at the Parliament building, Mr. Chayanan Ketmek, Member of Parliament for Nong Bua Lamphu District 1 from Kla Tham Party, together with Mr. Pornnarong Nilnama, MP for Nong Bua Lamphu District 3 from the same party, and representatives of the Village Security Volunteers (Chor Ror Bor), submitted a draft law titled the Village Security Volunteers Allowance and Welfare Promotion Act to the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The aim is to establish a system for allowances, welfare, and protection for those serving as community security volunteers nationwide.
Mr. Chayanan emphasized the importance of this bill, stating that the Village Security Volunteers are a key part of civil society supporting security and maintaining order over a long period. Their duties include night watches, patrolling against crime, monitoring drug problems, manning checkpoints, and assisting citizens during emergencies and disasters. Many of these tasks involve risks to their lives and property, yet many volunteers have had to bear expenses themselves and lack adequate welfare systems.
Currently, Thailand has about 291,108 Village Security Volunteers operating under the Ministry of Interior's 2008 regulations. There is no general monthly allowance system in place. This bill aims to elevate their care from administrative regulations to a formal law, securing clear, continuous benefits aligned with their assigned duties and recognizing their sacrifices for the community.
The bill's key provision grants appointed Village Security Volunteers who perform duties under regulations the right to receive a monthly allowance at rates and conditions to be set by ministerial regulations. This allowance is exempt from income tax and is not considered salary or wages under labor law, preserving their status as volunteers. It also allows local administrative organizations to allocate budgets to support or supplement allowances and special compensation based on local duties.
Additionally, the bill proposes establishing a Village Security Volunteers Promotion and Welfare Fund under the Department of Provincial Administration, Ministry of Interior. This fund would provide group accident insurance, life insurance, educational scholarships for children of volunteers affected by their duties, as well as compensation and additional support in cases of injury, disability, or death, preventing these burdens from falling solely on volunteers and their families.
Another important provision is to include representatives of Village Security Volunteers from the four regions—North, Northeast, Central, and South—in a national committee. This committee would reflect the issues and needs of active volunteers and help formulate welfare management policies and support necessary tools or technologies for community security.
