Bangkok: An announcement regarding the cancellation of the step-by-step salary increase system for local government employees has been published in the Royal Gazette. The new system replaces the traditional step-based increments with a percentage-based increase for employees within local government. According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Arsit Sampanrat, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, stated that the Royal Gazette website has made public the announcement of the Local Government Personnel Administration Standards Committee. This announcement, reflecting Central Standards for Local Government Personnel Administration (No. 21), was dated December 30, 2025, and published on January 9, 2026. The changes will take effect from January 10, 2026, onward. A significant shift in the policy is the elimination of the 'salary increment' system for local government employees, as outlined in Salary Structure Schedule 5. It will be replaced by a 'percentage-based salary increase' as per Salary Structure Sch edule 6. This change is designed to introduce more variability in salary increments for local government staff, addressing the constraints of the previous system, and better representing the personnel's performance and capabilities. The Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, through the Office of the Local Personnel Administration Standards Committee, will inform the Department of Local Administration and the Central Committee of Local Government Officials or Local Government Employees about the announcement. Subsequently, these bodies will be responsible for issuing general standards and guidelines.