Thailand Cuts Civil Service Workforce by 15 Percent by 2025
Thailand's government has approved plans to cut its civil service workforce by 15 percent by 2025 and reduce regional government units by 10 percent by 2027 to improve efficiency and reduce costs. The reform will freeze new civil service hi
The Thai government has set targets to reform the civil service system by reducing the civil service workforce by 15 percent by fiscal year 2025 and cutting the number of central government units in regional areas by 10 percent by fiscal year 2027.
On August 11, 2025, the cabinet considered a proposal from Deputy Prime Minister Prakorn Nilpraphand on guidelines for reforming personnel management and public sector structure, with input from the Civil Service Commission and the Public Sector Development Committee.
The reform aims to improve government efficiency, ensure cost-effective use of personnel budgets, and reduce redundant functions while maintaining work quality and public services.
For workforce reduction, the government targets a 15 percent cut in civil service positions by fiscal year 2025 through two main measures: freezing new civil service appointments and reducing public sector workforce by eliminating unfunded positions from October 1, 2024 onward. Academic and general civil service positions will be phased out through retirement, with some support roles to be replaced by alternative employment arrangements.
For structural reform, the government aims to reduce central government units in regional areas by 10 percent by fiscal year 2027. The cabinet approved reversing a 2017 policy and halting new regional central government establishments. Agencies must review existing regional units and consider adopting digital solutions, transferring functions to local governments, or consolidating multiple agencies under one administration. Where necessary, central agencies operating regionally may be converted to regional agencies without increasing overall organizational size.
