Bangkok: The Royal Thai Army has rolled out its "volunteer soldier" policy, recruiting 800 young individuals on a temporary 4-year contract, in an effort to streamline and rejuvenate its ranks. Major General Winthai Suwari, spokesperson for the Royal Thai Army, briefed the press on the results of the Army's directive units meeting, highlighting the successful implementation of this pilot program.
According to Thai News Agency, Major General Suwari conveyed the gratitude of General Phana Klaewplod, the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, to the units for their dedication and effective execution of past missions. He noted that the conscription process this year saw a higher number of volunteers than anticipated, marking a positive development. The Commander-in-Chief emphasized the importance of strict adherence to the standards set by the Royal Thai Army, focusing on the welfare and rights of all personnel, particularly conscripts. He also instructed unit commanders to ensure a smooth transition for new recruits, with proper training and welfare measures in place.
Colonel Richa Suksuwanon, Deputy Spokesperson of the Royal Thai Army, elaborated on the "volunteer soldier" policy, noting that it is an ongoing initiative aimed at addressing the personnel reduction within the army. By 2026, the program aims to fill 800 positions for both commissioned and non-commissioned officers. The first round of applications has been completed, and the second round is currently underway. The recruitment process is being refined to align with the Ministry of Defence and the government's personnel reduction policies.
The program offers temporary contracts for both commissioned and non-commissioned officer positions, ensuring a dynamic and youthful workforce. Upon the completion of their contracts, volunteers are discharged, allowing for a continual rotation of personnel and reducing the tax burden of long-term support. Volunteers are deployed across various military regions and combat units, depending on available positions. The welfare and salary structure for volunteer soldiers is designed to be more favorable compared to regular soldiers, with further details to be announced in due course.