In the last five years voluntary enlistment has risen steadily. In some areas, the annual April conscription quotas are being met entirely by men who sign up on their own, eliminating the need for a draft. But for many recruits, the motivation appears to be financial stability more than anything else.
People in military uniform. Photo from Unsplash |
Thailand’s economy has slowed, reducing job opportunities, especially for the young.
According to Bloombergyouth unemployment in Thailand is about five times higher than the national average. For many entering the workforce now, stable employment is hard to secure. The military, in contrast, provides a predictable income.
“There’s no real certainty of being sent to war,” 22-year-old Manyum Chawanakorn said after being measured for his uniform at a Bangkok draft centre. “But there’s a guarantee of income.”
He had been taking on casual construction jobs alongside his parents. The armed forces offers clearer prospects, and he hopes to pursue training as a non- commissioned officer after completing his initial service, he said.
Thailand’s annual military draft period concluded last weekend ahead of the Songkran festival. Under Thailand’s conscription system, men are required to report for selection in the year they turn 21, unless they qualify for an exemption, such as for medical reasons.
Those called up may either volunteer for service or take part in a lottery. In the lottery, participants draw a card at random from a container without knowing its color in advance. Drawing a red card means serving approximately two years in the military, while a black card grants exemption from service.
In one suburban district outside Bangkok, 52 of 685 eligible men volunteered, fully meeting the quota. In parts of central Bangkok, in 2026 people signed up without waiting for the lottery. Nationwide, online applications have already surpassed the military’s targets.
Conscripts receive around 11,000 baht ($340) per month in salaries along with free accommodation, food and healthcare.
While official figures for voluntary enlistment will only be finalised in mid-April, the military expects numbers to exceed last year’s.
Some recruits also admit that volunteering spares them the uncertainty of potentially being drafted for a longer term. “I wouldn’t want to risk getting drafted,” 22-year-old digital media student Purithat Thatvorchaiwat said. “I’d rather apply and get it over with. At least it gives me something to do after graduation.”
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