New Police Regulations on Officer Assignments Take Effect Today
Thailand's Royal Thai Police implemented new regulations today governing officer assignments and reserve duty status, defining nine grounds for reassignment and three conditions for reserve duty placement.
The Thai Police Gazette published new Royal Thai Police regulations governing officer assignments to the national police office or any department within it, or placing officers on reserve duty status, effective immediately as of September 24, 2025. The regulations were proclaimed on September 23 and signed by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul as chairman of the Police Officers Committee.
The core purpose of the new rules is to clearly define when officers are assigned to regular duty versus reserve duty status, establish review procedures, and set guidelines for reassignment once the grounds for assignment or reserve status end.
Officers may be assigned to the national police office or a department within it, relieved of their original position, when commanders deem it necessary and in the service's interest. Nine grounds for regular assignment are defined:
1. Nearing retirement, with six months or less of service remaining, subject to Police Committee approval 2. Going on official duty or preparing for overseas duty as assigned by the national police office 3. Pursuing studies or training for more than one year 4. Approved leave to accompany a spouse on official duty or work overseas 5. Approved leave to work for an international organization 6. A department is dissolved or a position is eliminated and no alternative position is available 7. An officer is recalled after disciplinary proceedings found no wrongdoing or insufficient grounds for dismissal, but no position at their original level is vacant 8. A court issues a final judgment acquitting an officer of criminal charges, and after command review, the officer is recalled but no original-level position is available 9. Other reasonable and necessary grounds requiring Police Committee approval
Reserve duty status is defined in three main cases:
1. Accused of serious disciplinary violations warranting investigation, criminal charges, or prosecution—except for negligence, minor offences, or violations arising from official duties not warranting suspension or dismissal 2. Under investigation by a disciplinary committee 3. Conduct unbecoming, including lax observance of police regulations, orders, rules, or major policies, resulting in ineffective law enforcement
For officers meeting the third criterion, authorities have 15 days to review their conduct and evidence.
