How is the draft in the army of Thailand. Incredible details.

The start date of the army spring draft in Thailand coincides with the Russian one and falls on April 1. Only in Thailand, the call is only once a year and lasts no more than 11 days. With the onset of this date, all young people who have reached the age of 21 years come here. The contingent is the most diverse: these are transvestites, and Buddhist monks, and the most ordinary guys. Everyone is waiting for their fate. Serving for the good of the country is considered a great honor, but only 20 percent of conscripts will be lucky to get into the army ranks - they are selected through the lottery.

So, at this year’s call at a Bangkok school, a transgender and a Buddhist monk are waiting to speak with officers.

As in our country, in Thailand, soldiers are divided into those who serve on the draft and who are on contract, the latter are much larger. A 10-day lottery during this period is held in all call centers of the country. Unsuitable for service are men suffering from mental retardation, physically incapacitated and those who have changed their appearance too much, for example, transgender people.
Everyone is waiting for the lottery to begin.

Since there are so many potential recruits, the military can select the really best of the best. So, only young people are accepted into the army, whose height is more than 1.6 meters, weight - over 50 kilograms, chest circumference exceeds 76 centimeters.

This picture shows recruits awaiting weighing.

Young men who have successfully passed a medical examination are allowed to participate in the lottery. They must draw lots. If the card is red, then it has passed, but if it is black - no. Every Thai dreams of service, because then he will receive a considerable salary - from 7 thousand baht.

This lucky man was lucky to draw out a red card.

But this is not.

Many are sent to the service as volunteers; there are about ten percent of all recruits. However, they are not at all afraid that they can be sent to the most dangerous areas of the country. Volunteers choose the desired unit, it can be the Navy, the Air Force or the Royal Army. The service life of soldiers who went to serve voluntarily is half that of the participants in the lottery.

During the lottery, large crowds of friends and relatives who have come to cheer for their participant always gather.

Every young man has the right once in his life to refuse a call. He simply comes to the recruiting office, explains why he cannot serve now, and that’s all, his name is transferred to the next year. Moreover, it is completely unnecessary to back up your reason with some evidence.

In the picture, Thai army officers are preparing black and red cards for the lottery.

Students who are trained, and those in whose care are the parents who have no one to care for, are not automatically attracted to the army service.

Young draftees in line at the admissions office in Bangkok.

In 1954, a law was passed according to which all transgender people should be recognized as mentally abnormal during a physical examination, and therefore exempted from military service. Now this is no longer, since such a diagnosis can offend the ladyboy's feelings.

Transgender people sitting in line with all the conscripts.

Transgender people are painted to inform the admissions committee about their “non-conscription” status.

Draftees in Thailand are divided into three groups. These are ordinary men, transgender people who have female breasts and transgender men who have completely changed sex. Despite his reincarnation, according to the laws of this country, Kata is still legally considered a man. But only young men from the first group can serve in the army. However, if the need arises, then young people from the second group will also be called.

The officer writes his number on the transgender's hand for the duration of the call.