Bangkok: Ignoring critics, Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilapraphan has defended the proposal of early retirement for civil servants aged 40 and above, counteracting claims of its impracticality.
According to Thai News Agency, Pakorn highlighted the importance of voluntary retirement and dismissed the impracticality concerns by pointing out long-standing issues. He clarified that the proposal targets those aged 40-45 and considers pension implications. Pakorn noted that allowing those over 50 to retire early poses challenges due to the need for new skills in the AI age. With many individuals unemployed, the focus shifts to upskilling and reskilling. This issue isn't confined to Thailand, as global graduates face similar challenges, increasingly turning to entrepreneurship. Encouraging older individuals to change careers remains difficult, especially with familial responsibilities. Pakorn emphasized that early retirement requires readiness, hence its voluntary nature.
Discussing potential retirees, Pakorn mentioned that while initial estimates suggest tens of thousands might opt for early retirement, the figure is still fluctuating. He stressed the necessity of future preparedness when contemplating early retirement, which demands careful consideration rather than sudden decisions.
Pakorn addressed skepticism by emphasizing the urgency of acting now to prevent future problems for subsequent generations. He acknowledged that these issues have been developing over time and must be addressed proactively. Pakorn expressed a preference for constructive suggestions over criticism, seeking solutions to these longstanding challenges.