Thai-American Citizen and the Military Draft

[Emyay]

Hello, currently, I'm 15 with just a Thai citizenship but has had permanent residence in the US since 2005. My mother is applying for citizenship and once the naturalization process is done, I will also inherit the American citizenship therefor making me of Thai-American citizenship. I plan on joining the US Air force and then eventually moving back to Thailand. Assuming I move back to Thailand before the age of 30 (the age where conscription is void), will I still have to go through Thai conscription?

Also, what kind of reaction will the government have towards me, seeing that Thailand does not recognize dual-nationality. Will it be considered treason and be stripped of my Thai citizenship?

[ubonjoe]

4 minutes ago, Emyay said:

Also, what kind of reaction will the government have towards me, seeing that Thailand does not recognize dual-nationality. Will it be considered treason and be stripped of my Thai citizenship?

Thailand has no law that prohibits or allows dual nationalities. So they do accept it. You cannot be stripped of your Thai nationality.

If you decide to live here after the age of 20 you will be subject to the draft at the age of 21 when the first draw is done. If you are not here then you should file for an exemption from it since you will be outside the country. You can file for the exemption at the embassy in DC or one of the official consulates in NY, Chicago or LA.

After the age of 21 the chances of being called for the draft is slim. But by law you are subject to it until the age of 30.

[steven100]

It is compulsory ...

technically, yes, potentially subject to Thai military service.  However, if you are not listed in a Thai Tabien Bahn, then you may not get called up. Thai officials go by the Tabien Bahn for selecting recruits. If you are not in one, then they don't know about you.

But others here may be able to give you more info on that.

 

[lopburi3]

35 minutes ago, Emyay said:

Also, what kind of reaction will the government have towards me, seeing that Thailand does not recognize dual-nationality. Will it be considered treason and be stripped of my Thai citizenship?

It is just about the same as in USA - there is no law that allows dual nationality but also nothing that prevents it.  So one person may not like it and the next think it is fine.  Officially it should not be a problem as there is no law preventing.  Just never sign a document renouncing your citizenship.

[Evilbaz]

My understanding is that if you serve in the US military you are exempt/ineligible for other countries drafts.

[FritsSikkink]

I think that you joining the US army might complicate things for Thailand if they find out.

In some countries you are not allowed to join a foreign army, which the US army would be for a Thai national. What about if you choose to live in Thailand but the US army would need to reenlist you (as you are still a US citizen too) because of a war.

Without going to the army you shouldn't have any issues, doing so can open a nasty can of worms.  

[ubonjoe]

15 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

I think that you joining the US army might complicate things for Thailand if they find out.

In some countries you are not allowed to join a foreign army, which the US army would be for a Thai national. What about if you choose to live in Thailand but the US army would need to reenlist you (as you are still a US citizen too) because of a war.

Without going to the army you shouldn't have any issues, doing so can open a nasty can of worms.  

I am certain you are not aware that the US has not had a draft for decades. Once he served his four years there would be no way he would be called back in case of war.

[FritsSikkink]

35 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

I am certain you are not aware that the US has not had a draft for decades. Once he served his four years there would be no way he would be called back in case of war.

Ok, is that the same when he decides to join the national reserves after that?

[ubonjoe]

6 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

Ok, is that the same when he decides to join the national reserves after that?

If he chose to join the active reserves after his 4 years he could be called up. The active reserves have monthly meetings and annual 2 week exercise. The active reserves have been called up for the current ongoing conflicts.

When there was a draft there was inactive reserves if 4 years were not served. The inactive reserves could not be called up unless if was a declared war.

[Trembly]

Thai military conscription exists to fulfil a statutory requirement for all able-bodied Thai males to have at least basic military training in readiness for national emergencies. 

The statutes therefore exempt any Thai male who has completed basic training in a foreign military force that is recognised by the Ministry of Defence. 

The USAF most definitely fits under this category.

Just turn up with your  USAF service record to get your Thai exemption papers whenever you are ready.  

[Trembly]

By the way, MAVNI is suspended but you can still enlist as a greencard holder without US citizenship.

You will need US citizenship for a commission, however.  

 

[FritsSikkink]

More info here, doesn't seem to be a problem:

 

 

[Orton Rd]

BIL paid 30k not to be entered, another did go into the lottery and was drafted. When we visited him it was obvious none of the parents turning up were rich, the army is for the poor, apart from the officers of course. 

[Just Weird]

6 minutes ago, Orton Rd said:

BIL paid 30k not to be entered, another did go into the lottery and was drafted. When we visited him it was obvious none of the parents turning up were rich, the army is for the poor, apart from the officers of course. 

...or it is for those who do not have the nouse,  or just can't be bothered to do it while they're still at school for a few weeks each year and then get exemption from conscription. 

 

Bear in mind also that many recruits are not conscripts, many choose the Armed Forces as a career for the very reason that they come from disadvantaged families and want to do better for themselves and their families.

[Trembly]

31 minutes ago, Just Weird said:

...or it is for those who do not have the nouse,  or just can't be bothered to do it while they're still at school for a few weeks each year and then get exemption from conscription. 

 

Bear in mind also that many recruits are not conscripts, many choose the Armed Forces as a career for the very reason that they come from disadvantaged families and want to do better for themselves and their families.

This.

There is a free and above board way to avoid conscription, but it requires you to stay in school until at least M.6. There are a surprising amount of kids and parents who simply don't put 1 and 1 together while they have the chance to do cadets in school and end up fretting over the lottery afterwards. It's so easy, even the girls sometimes elect to do it just for something different from girl guides. 

If you have a ปวช. "paw-waw-chaw" (associate degree equivalent) or above you can also shorten your draft to 6 months.

The military in Thailand is, as in many other countries, a great leveller and there are many who rose from very ordinary or even humble backgrounds to become political kingpins and powerbrokers via the military. One such example is Plaek Phibulsongkhram, Thailand's very own fascist military dictator, who was the son of a Chinese immigrant father and a durian-farming mother. 

[Just Weird]

4 hours ago, Trembly said:

There is a free and above board way to avoid conscription, but it requires you to stay in school until at least M.6. There are a surprising amount of kids and parents who simply don't put 1 and 1 together while they have the chance to do cadets in school and end up fretting over the lottery afterwards. It's so easy, even the girls sometimes elect to do it just for something different from girl guides. 

I know!  That's what my post was about!

[Trembly]

26 minutes ago, Just Weird said:

I know!  That's what my post was about!

I know! I agree! 

[Emyay]

On 1/23/2018 at 7:42 PM, ubonjoe said:

Thailand has no law that prohibits or allows dual nationalities. So they do accept it. You cannot be stripped of your Thai nationality.

If you decide to live here after the age of 20 you will be subject to the draft at the age of 21 when the first draw is done. If you are not here then you should file for an exemption from it since you will be outside the country. You can file for the exemption at the embassy in DC or one of the official consulates in NY, Chicago or LA.

After the age of 21 the chances of being called for the draft is slim. But by law you are subject to it until the age of 30.

Thank you very much for clarifying this for me, I appreciate it.