Bangkok: The cabinet has given the green light to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to increase special welfare payments for officials working in risk areas in the southern border provinces. This approval includes additional payments for officials whose offices are outside but work in these risk-prone areas, as proposed by the Ministry of Transport.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Anukul Prueksanusak, deputy government spokesman, announced that the SRT has been providing special welfare payments at a rate of 2,500 baht per person per month to employees working in special areas like Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, and five districts of Songkhla Province since 2008. This scheme, however, did not benefit those whose offices are outside these areas but are required to work within them. Given the ongoing unrest in these provinces and the economic challenges, the SRT has decided to revise the risk allowance rates. The new rates are designed to incentivize employees to continue working in these high-risk areas.

For regular workers in special areas, totaling 219 individuals, the allowance will increase from 2,500 baht to 3,500 baht per person per month. Employees working less than a full month but for at least 15 days will also receive the full 3,500 baht. Moreover, for workers outside special areas, 115 individuals working on trains and 165 working occasionally in and out of these regions will now receive a new rate of 233.33 baht per person per day, where previously no pay was allocated.

This adjustment will raise the monthly welfare cost by 1,357,768.98 baht, amounting to an annual increment of 16.29 million baht, funded by SRT revenue. The changes take effect immediately following cabinet approval.

Mr. Anukul also mentioned that the State Railway of Thailand and the State Enterprise Labor Relations Committee have already signed off on the plan. It has also received endorsements from the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Labor, Budget Bureau (BBL), Office of the Civil Service Commission, National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB), and the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center. The BBL emphasized the need for SRT to manage overall personnel expenses while considering the financial health and performance of the organization. They also recommended devising a strategy to enhance operational efficiency or increase revenue to offset the additional expenses without burdening the public or affecting future budget allocations. The NESDB advised the SRT to ensure that compensation payments are necessary and appropriate, with a robust control and inspection system to guarantee spending efficiency.