Let’s stop forcing boys to be soldiers

[webfact]

Let’s stop forcing boys to be soldiers

By The Nation

 

 

The coming election affords a chance to consider alternatives to unnecessary, outdated military conscription
 

All of the political parties preparing to vie in next year’s general election – not just Future Forward and Pheu Thai – should press for a public debate on the need for military conscription. The question of whether Thailand needs to force every able-bodied man to do a stint in the armed services demands to be addressed.

 

Too many reports have been emerging from military bases about conscripted privates toiling as housekeepers for their superiors – or, far worse, being physically abused, sometimes to death. In neither case are the country’s interests being served or is its security being protected.

 

Military conscription began in old Siam with the aristocracy of Ayutthaya forcing all young men into the army to fight off Khmer and Burmese invaders – or to invade or annex foreign territories. Military and military-style rule was a fact of life then and has continued ever since with intermittent breaks. With it comes the political mindset that, to prove their patriotism, men must become soldiers and serve the Kingdom. From the generals’ point of view, in fact, there is no other way to serve the homeland.

 

Times have changed, democracy has set down roots and the rules regarding military service were modernised under King Rama V. There are no invaders or threats of invasion and global security has stabilised since World War II. And yet the ancient aristocratic mindset lingers, particularly among the military brass, and there are half a million citizens in uniform – not all voluntarily so by any means. The armed forces draft 100,000 young men annually on average, requiring them to serve for two years. 

 

The draft affords high drama each year as the sons of rich families are excused on the basis of school commitments or bribes and transgender would-be recruits withstand public harassment and humiliation. The Army won’t take the latter because it regards them as mentally ill, but they have to report for duty anyway to demonstrate that they’re psychologically unsuitable to serve.

 

What could possibly justify all the grief that conscription brings? There is no regional military threat. There is little possibility of war breaking out anywhere that Thai troops might be needed. These youngsters can put their skills and talents to better use.

 

But, instead, a kid who’s gifted at computer coding can end up scrubbing the underwear of some general’s wife.

 

Conscription can be avoided by doing a three-year course of military training while in high school, but not every teenager can do this, so the draft notice will be arriving in the mail.

 

If the armed forces wish to insist on preparedness for some future conflict, they should also acknowledge that today’s battles require sophisticated equipment and the knowledge to handle it. They should thus be seeking to sign up – on a voluntary basis – young people with that knowledge or the ability to learn it and excel. The military needs “the right stuff” – kids who will bring needed skills and can reap benefits themselves from the experience – not farm boys or city toughs.

 

If the political parties contesting the coming election make changing the means of military recruitment a central campaign platform, the revamp could become part of the next government’s agenda. We believe they’ll find that many voters are prepared to support the change if viable alternatives are presented. Members of the ruling junta should be prepared to accept the outcome.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/opinion/30353201

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-08-29

[Get Real]

Ah, it looks like they know how to use a gun since birth, anyway! Maybe it would be better to try making them responsible, caring and law abiding citizens instead.

 

The only serious problem with that solution is, that I just can´t find a suitable teacher in the whole country.

[zzaa09]

Romancing a militaristic nationalism.

Priorities.

[mok199]

if you have a child attending a private or public school in thaland you will know ,its punishment enough.

[Samui Bodoh]

"....What could possibly justify all the grief that conscription brings? There is no regional military threat. There is little possibility of war breaking out anywhere that Thai troops might be needed. These youngsters can put their skills and talents to better use.

But, instead, a kid who’s gifted at computer coding can end up scrubbing the underwear of some general’s wife.

 

Wise words above.

 

The simple fact is that conscription, while it might have been a good idea in days long passed, does not make sense anymore: it is simply a means by which the military takes productive people out of their milieu and forces them to spend a few years being subservient to the whims of their 'betters'. What a waste of human capital; what might these people achieve if they weren't forced to waste a couple of years doing meaningless chores?

 

This is and should be a political issue of some significance; no party should be able to avoid a clear, detailed, public position on the matter and they should have to defend their views to the populace. Further, I would add that along with the issue of conscription, parties should be proposing a detailed look at the military including its budget, forces composition, disciplinary matters, legal powers, assets, number of 'senior' officers, and more.

 

I think that there is an assumption that the military is untouchable in Thai society, but I would challenge that assumption. It is difficult for public figures to begin a conversation regarding the military, but I strongly suspect that once it has begun, there would be very strong support among the general population for massive, wide-ranging military reforms.

 

Is there a public figure brave enough to begin that dialogue? To get the ball rolling until a critical mass of the population is achieved and the conversation takes a life of its own? And are the Thai people willing to take it upon themselves once someone gets it started?

Sadly, I think the answer is only... 'maybe'.

 

 

 

[Dave67]

100,000 men serving for 2 years, at any one time 200,000 men serving in the armed force. There would be some much needed money going to better causes education or vocational training would be the sensible choice to train the 100,000 young men per annum who will be available for other work

[Squigy]

Get rid of it... !  Let the guys prosper in other fields. Conscription is over for most of the free world as most of us are aware. 

 

 

[rkidlad]

Let’s stop forcing boys to be rich people’s slaves 

[blinkers]

On a personal level I don't agree with conscription, however not all the recruits are used as servants, so lets not use that as a reason.

My stepson was selected for conscription, he  didn't want to go and asked us to help him. ( The help being 30,000 baht paid on the day of the ballot). but we felt that it might give him a broader outlook on life to have the experience. So he did his 2 years and it was the making of him, he was a good lad anyhow, but the experience rounded him off, he had many wonderful experiences like being one of the crew on the kings boat, seeing a bit more of his country and he made many new friends, now 10 years after the event they still keep in touch.

When asked did we do the right thing by him, he said it was an experience he is glad to have had, So, not all doom and gloom, just thought I would supply a positive side as you all seem hell bent on focusing on the negative.

[DILLIGAD]

A young neighbor once saw me mowing my lawn and asked if he could assist. When I told him that there was no need, his reply was as follows...
‘ but I am very good at cutting grass as I’ve been in the Army’

I believe, if these kids time is wasted, then they should be back continuing their education.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bluesofa]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Let’s stop forcing boys to be soldiers

Seeing as conscription is at 21, is this telling that the Nation describes them as 'boys' - maybe seeing them immature?

 

[Deli]

I agree, spending the money wisely ( non on Mia Nois ) on hospitals, pensions and good EDUCATION FOR ALL would be much better than buying subs.

[bluesofa]

1 minute ago, Deli said:

I agree, spending the money wisely ( non on Mia Nois ) on hospitals, pensions and good EDUCATION FOR ALL would be much better than buying subs.

True, but while the elite keep the education level abysmally low and discouraging critical thinking, then they know there will be no opposition to wasting public money on themselves.

 

[Esso49]

3 hours ago, Get Real said:

Ah, it looks like they know how to use a gun since birth, anyway! Maybe it would be better to try making them responsible, caring and law abiding citizens instead.

 

The only serious problem with that solution is, that I just can´t find a suitable teacher in the whole country.

Stop forcing boys to be soldiers.  That say it all.  In most countries at the age of 18 there are men, not boys.  Here they are still considered children until 20 and by God don't they act like it. In fact instead of forcing boys to be soldiers they should try to make sure soldiers act like men rather than immature war lords.

[PatOngo]

37 minutes ago, bluesofa said:

Seeing as conscription is at 21, is this telling that the Nation describes them as 'boys' - maybe seeing them immature?

 

Some are still immature at 50!

[bluesofa]

1 minute ago, PatOngo said:

Some are still immature at 50!

That's very diplomatic of you - 'some'.

 

[chrisinth]

7 minutes ago, PatOngo said:

Some are still immature at 50!

Growing old is a natural process.

 

Growing up is optional..........................

[bkkgriz]

It is probably time to scrap conscription. However, that means an all volunteer professional military with commensurate pay and benefits. Is Thailand willing to treat its soldiers as professionals? One of the first steps would be reducing the number of generals. I don't see any willingness to take that step.

[thaiguzzi]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

There are no invaders or threats of invasion and global security has stabilised since World War II.

Why the daft waste of money on submarines?

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The draft affords high drama each year as the sons of rich families are excused on the basis of school commitments or bribes

Says everything.

Unlike South Korea.

3 hours ago, webfact said:

But, instead, a kid who’s gifted at computer coding can end up scrubbing the underwear of some general’s wife.

 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

 

Too many reports have been emerging from military bases about conscripted privates toiling as housekeepers for their superiors

And there you have it.

Says everything.

[robblok]

Great, I hope they will do it, I was quite pleased when the stopped drafting people in the Netherlands.

 

At first I escaped to pursue a higher education, then saved by the politicians who abolished it.

 

A small professional army with willing and well trained soldiers is much better. I believe we even saved money by stopping the draft. (cant be sure as I am no expert on army matters). 

 

I hope they follow a similar path here its just foolish to fool people to serve.. you get unmotivated people who lose a long time of their life for nothing.

[robblok]

23 minutes ago, thaiguzzi said:

Why the daft waste of money on submarines?

Says everything.

Unlike South Korea.

 

And there you have it.

Says everything.

Submarines... why.. vanity.. taking a cut of the money too

Bribes.. unfortunately too common in the country.

The other part where people are forced to join and do menial work and or army training while their talents could be spend better. Most countries have no draft anymore. I was lucky I escaped it.. saved me 1 year of my life that would have been wasted.

[blinkers]

3 hours ago, Dave67 said:

There would be some much needed money going to better causes education or vocational training would be the sensible choice to train the 100,000 young men per annum who will be available for other work

Edited 3 hours ago by Dave67

Well education is an interesting thing, and if I may digress here, it seems to me ( having been a teacher here for a number of years ) that most kids are headed to university as it is expected of them. What do they do with that university degree? well a large percentage of them work in the family business, cooking chicken, working in a hardware shop and so on, do we need a university degree to cook chicken, I think not. Education is fine, but not what is dished out in Thai schools, there should be a much broader curriculum that allows these kids to see that there are many options out there, and a curriculum that broadens their horizons.

[DILLIGAD]

Well education is an interesting thing, and if I may digress here, it seems to me ( having been a teacher here for a number of years ) that most kids are headed to university as it is expected of them. What do they do with that university degree? well a large percentage of them work in the family business, cooking chicken, working in a hardware shop and so on, do we need a university degree to cook chicken, I think not. Education is fine, but not what is dished out in Thai schools, there should be a much broader curriculum that allows these kids to see that there are many options out there, and a curriculum that broadens their horizons.

I was told you need a degree to work in 7/11. I do agree about your comment re ‘broading their ideas’. Having work in a Uni for 8 years it still seems all the ‘leavers’ want to be....
1) English teachers
2) Tour guides
3) Airline hostesses
4) No idea.


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[AsiaHand]

4 hours ago, Get Real said:

Ah, it looks like they know how to use a gun since birth, anyway! Maybe it would be better to try making them responsible, caring and law abiding citizens instead.

 

The only serious problem with that solution is, that I just can´t find a suitable teacher in the whole country.

Well said Sir

[bkkgriz]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

There are no invaders or threats of invasion and global security has stabilised since World War II.

Um, has this writer left Bangkok and spent any time in Yala, Songkhla, Pattani, or Narathiwat? Doesn't seem very peaceful or secure down there. 

[mikebell]

Question;  100,000 a year; how many generals?

 

Answer;    Most of them.

[bluesofa]

10 minutes ago, mikebell said:

Question;  100,000 a year; how many generals?

Answer;    Most of them.

Most of them were ordered to undertake a stock-check of the spares in the warehouse:

It was found there were more general parts than private parts.

 

[twig]

Conscription was always the worst kind of slavery!

One is not only made to work for free, participate in absurd rituals and restricted in movement, but also can be forced to kill complete strangers without asking any questions - just out of brainwashed lunacy and being told to do so.

 

AND even street beggars are forced to pay the government gang members for this lunacy through inflation.

 

Unfortunately, as shown by the 2013 Swiss referendum, even an educated population - far advanced from the medieval mindset of Thailand - can be brainwashed to accept some kinds of slavery TODAY!

Maybe they just like the ability to take military rifles home after they are freed from the armed gang.

 

So the owners of Thai sheeple and territory have great examples of how to continue and PROFIT from conscription slavery for generations to come!

 

"Then the face of Big Brother faded away again and instead the three slogans of the Party stood out in bold capitals:

WAR IS PEACE
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH

"

- George Orwell, 1984, Chapter 1

 

[PatOngo]

2 hours ago, bluesofa said:

That's very diplomatic of you - 'some'.

 

We can't be upsetting the huggers, now, can we?

[marko kok prong]

I believe Thailand beat the Burmese once,payed off the French,and surrendered to Japan after 4 bombs where dropped on Bangkok,hardly a glorious military history,i wonder why they bother with an army at all,imagine them up against the Vietnamese,white flags would go up about 5 times a day as they have to eat.