Thread: Thailand undergoes annual military draft

THAILAND, 3rd April, 2018 (NNT) - As the country undergoes its annual military draft, residents in Mueang Yala District have reported in with the necessary documents at Sanam Chang Phueak Park.

Lt Col Natapon Chaisupha who is in charge of military drafting in Yala was present to ensure that the process proceeded as planned. Of the 346 people that reported in, the district requires 51 personnel, consisting of 34 for the army and 17 for the navy. Security personnel were present to ensure safety throughout the day.

In Uthai Thani, 245 people reported in at Sawang Arom District where 59 personnel are required, consisting of 33 for the army, 8 for the air force, and 18 for the navy. The district also received four voluntary signups.

One volunteer said he was proud to serve his country as he will undergo both physical and mental training that would bring discipline to his life. He also said it was the intention of his parents to see their son serve as a public official.


National News Bureau Of Thailand | Thailand undergoes annual military draft

Not at war with anyone but their own citizens. Time to end this annual nonsense but reckon the senior officers need the domestic help.

It's so quaint.

Originally Posted by misskit

Security personnel were present to ensure safety throughout the day.

Was that to ensure nobody was crushed in the stampede when asking for volunteers?

Originally Posted by Norton

Not at war with anyone but their own citizens.

Not so unusual even in some peace-loving countries:

Bringing back the draft
July 25, 2017




Restarting the military draft after more than four decades of an [at]all-volunteer force would be complicated.

But it could be done.

One plan calls for young conscripts to have a choice: two years on active duty or six years in the reserves.

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/2...ack-the-draft/

Not funny when village boys brutalised by unaccountable seniors or sent of to police failed policy in the deep south

Originally Posted by Norton

Not at war with anyone but their own citizens. Time to end this annual nonsense but reckon the senior officers need the domestic help.

Yep.
More importantly is to ask the reasons why.

Originally Posted by Norton

Not at war with anyone but their own citizens

the number of thai generals and admirals require a very large standing military

We have a very small police post at the edge of our village where there are always one or two army/police on "duty". One has to slow down to get around the barriers. Usually I shout 'Good Morning" to wake them up. Sometimes they reply usually a grin and occasionaly a salute in reply.

This morning there must have been 20 soldiers, police and some guy with lots of medals. They waived me to stop and all formed a semi circle around the pickup. After I called out good morning, silence. One stepped forward and asked me in English where was I going. I said of to the local city.

With that the general or whatever spoke to my wife in Thai, pointed at one of the soldiers and ordered him to jump in the back. He did. My wife said go, go, go. The semi-circle parted, the soldiers lowered their rifles and off I went.

Down the road I asked my wife what was going on. She said the "general" wants you to take this soldier into the city. He wants to go and visit his girlfriend.

Ah, I replied. Here's me thinking the Kampuchean's had invaded and our soldier was our security.

TIT.

One of the nephews got called up today. Good news for the parents and him if you ask me. Had one nephew who did well and is now a Royal guard in Bangkok.

Always have to see the bright side of this lottery, it has done well for most that have been drafted in our village. Shame about his girlfriend though, she's gonna lose out and knows it.

My TGF boy was called up yesterday he was lucky & now he can complete his collage degree in Electrics

The draft is for Isaan boys in the main, and those within the compass of that demographic but from elsewhere in the provinces.
The middle class Bankokian and above seldom serve.
It truly is a disgrace but no one ever accused this place of being a functioning democracy operating a rule of law applicable to all.

That it takes two years out of a young life is again an obscenity and in many ways thwarts attempts to get them on a path leading out of provincial poverty and poor achievement.

Originally Posted by baldrick

the number of thai generals and admirals require a very large standing military

I seem to recall the current Thai army list comprises more generals than the combined complement of the US and Chinese armies.

It is in effect a socio-economic-political cadre and any martial function is secondary.

It's for all Thai young men aged 20, they take in about 16%of the boys & another 16% volunteer.

Originally Posted by Seekingasylum

I seem to recall the current Thai army list comprises more generals than the combined complement of the US and Chinese armies.

It is in effect a socio-economic-political cadre and any martial function is secondary.

Correct. More 4 star to 2 star Generals than they have tanks.

Originally Posted by Seekingasylum

The draft is for Isaan boys in the main, and those within the compass of that demographic but from elsewhere in the provinces.
The middle class Bankokian and above seldom serve.
It truly is a disgrace but no one ever accused this place of being a functioning democracy operating a rule of law applicable to all.

That it takes two years out of a young life is again an obscenity and in many ways thwarts attempts to get them on a path leading out of provincial poverty and poor achievement.

This is not quite true. If the family knows how to manage, be in Bangkok or up-country.

A conscription is not so unusual also in other countries. In the USA not so long ago with so many draft dodgers. And for the volunteers isn't "a path leading out of provincial poverty and poor achievement" for many recruited nowadays?

E. g. in Switzerland where beside the 3-4 boot months in the first year, there are 3-4 weeks every next year up to age 30 (40?) and a dutiful shooting on Sundays.

In Israel they have min. 2 years, even women under certain conditions.

Also in Norway is certain number of men and women selected by a draft.

I have long thought that 20 for the draft and the brief monkhood stint and is leaving things too late and only encourages young men to waste three or four years waiting their lottery draw after leaving school at 16. I was done and out by 20-years 1 month (before being old enough to be able to vote against Nixon in 1968) and ready to start commuinity college on the GI bill. Don't resent my time in the Navy, and certainly appreciate the opportunity to see some of the world at an early age, although I can't imagine that the Thai conscripts get to see anything more foreign than the occupied provinces in th south or the Gulf of Thailand.

^^True but none of the countries you mention use conscripts as servants. Here that's where many end up. Drivers, house servants, and the like to not only active General officers but retired ones as well.

The Navy Admiral and his Chief of Staff I worked for had 6 Filipino stewards who were able to enlist as part of a continuing program from the U.S. occupation of their homeland. Not sure if could obtain citizenship, but seem to remember that some had their families living on shore.

Too many chiefs and not enough indians

Originally Posted by Norton

^^True but none of the countries you mention use conscripts as servants. Here that's where many end up. Drivers, house servants, and the like to not only active General officers but retired ones as well.

The question is whether they mind such servant service. Perhaps better than a real military service...

^ my nephew didn't mind, he got some extra money from the general he served (gardening, driving, fixing stuff).

But the general didn't have to pay for his regular wage (only the extra bit)... meaning he had employees payed by tax-payers' money for his personal use at a discounted price.

Originally Posted by Farang Ky Ay

But the general didn't have to pay for his regular wage (only the extra bit)... meaning he had employees payed by tax-payers' money for his personal use at a discounted price.

Not so unusual in other "democratic" world. Everywhere the big guys have cars, apartments, assistants, drivers, bodyguards and other servants to keep their valuable representative position. All of that they pay from their own poor pockets?