Thai civil service personnel costs consume 37.9–39.5% of the national budget—above regional peers and global upper-middle-income averages—despite stable headcount. A Chulalongkorn economist argues reform must begin with mission audits and right-sizing of agencies before workforce reduction, citing Canada's 1994–1997 experience. Government should consolidate budget data across multiple pools, clarify mission vs. private-sector roles, and adopt this as national policy to free investment capacity.