BANGKOK, July 31 (TNA) – More eligible Thai men have volunteered to join the military on conscription day due to the COVID-19 fallout.
The ongoing annual military draft period has been postponed from April because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Under the Military Service Act, all Thai men who reach the age of 21 are required to register for the military draft. Those who do not volunteer must take part in a lottery. Around 100,000 men are drafted annually to serve in the three branches of the armed forces.
Deputy army spokeswoman Col Sirichan Nga-tong said this year the number of those who volunteer to join the armed forces considerably increased. She said the main reason was that the COVID-19 pandemic had reduced job opportunities.
Many men who wished to join the military said it was an easy decision because they could serve the country and did not have to worry about their income.
When reaching the age, young men receive conscription notices and contact recruitment offices to begin the draft process. On appointment, they must be present for military draft at designated venues.
The draft period is rescheduled this year for July 23-Aug 31, which is longer than normal because of limited capacity to comply with social distancing rules. (TNA)
