Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said the proposal is a common benefit that all state officials are entitled to if they perform extra work.

He said the additional payments which could be as much as 3 per cent of their annual salary increase were not grants, but a small bonus to show appreciation for these officials’ performance and to boost their morale.

As many as 721 officials are entitled to be considered for the benefit.

Government Spokesperson Maj Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the Cabinet approved the payments in its weekly meeting yesterday following the proposal by the National Council for Peace and Order’s secretary office.

The two-step increase process would account for about 3 per cent of their normal annual salary rise, he said.

Sansern compared their dedication to drug suppression officials’, saying the work required commitment and effort and as such they deserved the benefit.

Similar special payments have occurred twice since the 2006 coup, when over 400 officials who helped the work of the Council of National Security received similar extra-salary increases.

Under the NCPO’s terms, at least 1,700 officers have been entitled to such benefits over the last two years, according to documents submitted by the NCPO secretary’s office that accompanied the proposal.

The office also reported that around 22, 771 military officers were recruited to help the junta’s work. Only 254 of them failed the criteria for consideration.