SENIOR officials above the rank of undersecretary of state will be allowed to retain their posts beyond the Kingdom’s mandatory age of retirement, according to a Royal decree.

The decree, dated September 12 but released publicly last month, listed 19 officials from nine ministries who have been given permission “to remain in politics” despite being over the age of 60.

Minister of Posts and Telecommunications So Khun, Minister of Health Mam Bunheng and Minister of Environment Mok Mareth are among those listed in the decree.

Pich Bunthin, a secretary of state at the State Secretariat of Public Affairs, said Wednesday that “for those with political status, there is no mandatory retirement age”.

Political positions are defined as those holding the position of prime minister, government adviser, government assistant, minister, secretary of state, undersecretary of state and all members of the National Assembly and Senate, he said.

“They can work until they resign from politics, get sick or die,” he said, adding that civil servants working in public affairs positions must retire at age 60.

The Royal decree also lists eight civil servants who will be forced to retire.

So Khun said Wednesday that in his old age, his leadership would be stronger. “Young people have degrees, but we have experience, so we have to guide them,” he said.