Bangkok: The Ministry of Defence is advancing its "Volunteer Soldier" program by opening online applications from September to January for 25,000 positions. With a budget allocation of 1,455 million baht, the Defence Council has approved ministerial regulations supporting the initiative and will engage with the Comptroller General's Department next week.
According to Thai News Agency, the draft budget bill for 2027, which is set to be reviewed by the House of Representatives from June 29 to July 1, 2026, includes a specific budget for the volunteer soldier program. The program is set to comprise 25,000 positions distributed across various branches: 18,784 for the Army, 3,496 for the Navy, 2,174 for the Air Force, 300 for the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters, and 246 for the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence.
The initiative is part of the Ministry of Defence's public sector personnel plan, named the Volunteer Soldier (10 Plus) project, aligning with government policies and the Bhumjaithai Party's election campaign promises. The National Defence Council approved a draft Ministerial Regulation during its 4th/2026 meeting on June 25, 2026. This regulation addresses service duration, salary, benefits, and discipline for temporary soldiers, amending the definition of "government agency" to legally encompass the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence.
Updates on the volunteer military policy's implementation were also received during the meeting. This includes the formation of a working group, amendments to ministerial regulations, and the establishment of timelines for various operational aspects. Online recruitment aims to meet the annual target of 25,000 personnel between September 2026 and January 2027, with responsibilities assigned to relevant agencies to ensure adherence to the timeline.
Moreover, a meeting with the Department of Treasury is scheduled for July 6, 2026, to finalize budget preparations and ensure the project's efficient execution. This meeting is pivotal for aligning financial mechanisms with the recruitment timeline, facilitating the successful deployment of volunteer soldiers.