Thai Cabinet approves pay rises for soldiers

BANGKOK, April 17 (TNA) - The Thai Cabinet has approved a new pay rise for soldiers, as requested by the Ministry of Defence. Thai Deputy Government Spokesman Chalitrat Chantharubeksa said, given the Thai Cabinet's decision at its weekly meeting Tuesday, the Ministry of Defence will receive a state budget of 952.45 million baht subsequently. Of the sum, the deputy spokesman acknowledged, the offices of the defence minister and the defence permanent secretary will obtain 18.05 million baht, the Royal Aide-De-Camp Department 1.99 million baht, the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters 86.78 million baht, the Royal Thai Army 584.34 million baht, the Royal Thai Navy 182.18 million baht and the Royal Thai Air Force 79.12 million baht. According to the deputy spokesperson, the new pay rise will make Thai soldiers earn equally or closely to those of civil servants with same qualifications. The deputy spokesman said that the salary increase will take retroactive effect in two stages, from October 1, 2010 with the increased payroll based on a Cabinet resolution reached on August 16, 2010 and from January 1, 2012 with the pay rise based on a Cabinet decision on January 31, 2012. (TNA)