The civil service had become an unattractive proposition for young people and the country lacked good officials with knowledge of new technology and the ability to deal with the effects of globalisation, the governor said at a meeting of academics and civil servants.

The salary ceiling for each civil-service class should be increased to encourage quality officials to stay in state agencies, attract new graduates and help solve the problem of  debt among state employees.

The governor was speaking at a seminar entitled "The Role of Human Resource Management and Thai Social Trends" organised by the Office of the Civil Service Commission and Thammasat University.

He said his proposal would benefit the country in the long term by improving staff management and conditions in state agencies.

State officials receive very low salaries compared to the private sector. Previous salary adjustments had never solved the problem, he said.

Restructuring may adversely affect the government's budget, as it had limited finances, but it would help state officials survive.

The BOT chief said that the government should also manage career paths more efficiently. Seniority should not be the only factor in promotions, as it is now. Skills, abilities and experience should also be taken into account.

Anoma Srisukkasem

The Nation