Anti-Junta activists Netiwit Chotipataisal and Siriwith Serithiwat, having received their call up papers for the army, are seeking exclusion from national service.
In the list of celebrity registrants, Netiwit, a first-year political science student at Chulalongkorn University, was described in the accompanying remarks as “a leader in the movement that called for the abolition of military conscription.”
Siriwith, aka ‘Ja New’, was described as “a leader of student political activists.”
Netiwit said on Tuesday that he had submitted documents to delay his registration and had been told by the university that he was already on the list of those being granted permission to be excluded from military training this year.
On April 4, he said he would submit the documents to the military to complete the process.
Netiwit also said that if he were to be conscripted, he was certain he would be discriminated against and assaulted.
The young activist added that he would also seek to postpone his conscription next year.
“I am never going to join the Army. Like I’ve said, I disagree with those serving in the Army. I disagree with violence,” he said. “We are not at war. Conscription is another thing that supports the dictatorial regime. It is part of the reason why the military can still stage a coup. I disagree with it.”
Siriwith, meanwhile, posted on Facebook that he would follow the process of postponing his military service, but expressed concern that the military might not treat him fairly.
He threatened to rebuke all those concerned if he were to be mistreated during the crucial stage of the process, set to take place early April.
Thousands of young men all over the country are in a similar situation and will be faced with picking the black/red ball. Red means you’re in, black means go home. The two men make a pertinent point, Thailand is not at war, though people living in the deep south may disagree.
Is military service necessary or beneficial? When young men join the army here, they are trained to be soldiers. There is no real vocational training that would help them find jobs when they return to civilian life.
There are many that believe military discipline would benefit idle, spoilt young males and at times it’s hard to disagree with that view. However, I can sympathize with those that really do not wish to be called up.
I have to confess that in 1970 when the voting age was lowered to 18 in the UK, I voted Labour for the only time in my life. There was a strong rumour circulating that the Conservatives were going to reintroduce conscription and the thought of square-bashing and losing my long,flowing locks was distinctly unappealing. (The long,flowing locks have long since disappeared of their own accord!)
There is no doubt that some young men are in for a miserable time, not everyone is cut out for military life. On the flip-side there are many who will undoubtedly benefit and come out as well-rounded adults.
As often happens, there is no clear answer to the question of whether national service is a good thing or not. It is a subject that is clearly open to debate.
(Source:The Nation, Thailand)