Thailand plans early retirement scheme to shrink its civil service

Bloomberg reports in The Straits Times that Thailand's early retirement scheme is expected to start in fiscal 2027, initially for civil servants aged 50 and over. Workers as young as 40 may qualify for health or caregiving reasons. Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilprapunt estimated the first phase would cost about seven billion baht. Compensation remains under discussion, and the plan still needs cabinet approval.