Budget Office Tightens Public Sector Hiring Controls

The Budget Office has issued a directive to all government agencies on September 16 to enforce stricter controls on public sector personnel spending for fiscal year 2570. Budget Office Director Anan Kaewkamnerd has sent letters to all ministry secretaries, government agency heads, state enterprises, and other organizations to clarify guidelines for managing personnel expenses under the fiscal year 2570 public sector personnel plan, which takes effect following the Budget Act's implementation.

The Budget Office states that to ensure efficient personnel management in implementing national policy and strategy, consistent with the national economic and social development plan and rapid technological changes, while maximizing the effective use of public sector personnel appropriate to each agency's role and maintaining overall balance within allocated budget frameworks in accordance with a Cabinet Resolution of August 11, 2569, the Budget Office seeks to ensure all budget-receiving units strictly comply with detailed guidelines for personnel expense management under the fiscal year 2570 public sector personnel plan.

Key requirements include: (1) Budget-receiving units may hire and appoint civil servants and employ state workers only at positions approved under the annual or supplementary budget act, based on operational necessity and with employment duration matching approved budget months within allocated budget limits. Vacant positions are handled case by case: positions with civil service turnover funds or temporary worker vacancies should delay hiring unless operationally necessary, using remaining public sector personnel budget funds; exemptions apply to courts, parliament, independent organizations, and the Office of the Attorney General, which may hire at entry-level salary with a four-month or approved budget-month duration. Vacancies from retirement may be filled at entry-level with one month or approved duration, except courts, parliament, independent organizations, the Attorney General's Office, and the Royal Thai Police (for police student positions only), which receive four months. Vacant positions with no approved budget funds may be filled at entry-level for four months or approved duration. (2) When hiring beyond approved budget positions is operationally necessary, units must request approval through proper channels.