I'm being told (possibly misunderstand) that the military conscription/draft rules are changing.

1. No more draft/lottery. Everyone (male) that meets the minimal requirements at 21 must serve with the military.

2. Exemptions are men entering the police force or leaving the country to study abroad.

3. The mandatory term of service is now 5 years instead of 2 years. (5 years is a substantial delay in starting a career or business).

 

Is this just rumour or is it fact? Thai's around me are convinced it's fact. I think it's rumour because I can't see Thailand being able to afford having essentially every male between 21 and 25 in the army for 5 years.

I would have thought that such drastic changes would have received some form of media attention, I have not seen anything about this in the media.