Opposition parties call for an end to mandatory conscription

[webfact]

 

By Erich Parpart

Pheu Thai and Move Forward said they want to reform the military, including the lifting of conscription, should they come into power after the next election.

 

Though the move will likely be popular among younger Thais, it is not universally supported by all parties. Both the Thai Sang Thai and the Democrat Party believe that military conscription is necessary but it should be improved from its current form according to our survey and interview of policy makers.

 

Pheu Thai Party

 

Prommin Lertsuridej, the chief of Pheu Thai’s policy committee, told Thai Enquirer that military conscription should be replaced with a volunteer system thereby creating a professional army.

 

Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/47542/opposition-parties-call-for-an-end-to-mandatory-conscription/

 

-- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2023-01-19

 

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[liddelljohn]

Thai military  needs and prefers Professional soldiers for long term Commitment and technology and combat skills training  and they only really need maybe 80,000   . Most conscripts only get basic training and are used as cheap labour  for 2 years by vested interests .

 

[zzaa09]

Of course, reform. ????

Remember who controls and influences the all encompassing military.....the direction of any such reformations should start with these circles, firstly.

 

[Purdey]

This is a good idea. Fewer soldiers but highly professional. Of course military governments won't like it but parents will. 

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Prommin Lertsuridej, the chief of Pheu Thai’s policy committee, told Thai Enquirer that military conscription should be replaced with a volunteer system thereby creating a professional army.

I'm saying nothing....

[kingstonkid]

The problem is that until they set up real training with real to instructor it will be difficult.  Thailand is at the same level as Canada was in the 50's and the U.S. was with conscription in the 60's

The only people they are going to get are kids that have no education other than mandatory pass.

If they have the right training it is a great idea.

 

Then again if the conscription was at 17 years if age to get the kids that drop out after m3 it would be y great way to get them skills.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Mason45]

7 minutes ago, kingstonkid said:

The problem is that until they set up real training with real to instructor it will be difficult.  Thailand is at the same level as Canada was in the 50's and the U.S. was with conscription in the 60's

The only people they are going to get are kids that have no education other than mandatory pass.

If they have the right training it is a great idea.

 

Then again if the conscription was at 17 years if age to get the kids that drop out after m3 it would be y great way to get them skills.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi there, I did 2 years National Service in the Australian Army, I must sat that I was no Vic Morrow but they did teach me how to drink beer. Cheers.

[RichardColeman]

Just make it lawful that the courts can issues 5 years prison or 5 years in the army for the feral youth of this country that keep fighting each other in the streets.

[Srikcir]

It's always worth a try if only to make the military transparent in its efforts to control the electorate through psychological devices (ie., hostage) taking of their young.

But expect the unelected Constitutional Court to hold that volunteer military is unconstitutional. 

[spidermike007]

Great idea. What real threats does the nation face? What function does the army perform, other than drain the coffers? 

[HuskerDo2]

Their military is a joke. All branches. They couldn't stop an attack from a group of angry grandmothers let alone another attacking country.  They don't have the skills(or heart) to defend the country no matter how much training they receive. Scrub all military and go neutral like Costa Rica. Such a waste of time and money.

[jcmj]

He’ll. I think it’s a good idea. My son comes up for it this year and I hope he gets picked. Hopefully it’ll make him less lazy and understand hard work. Like most of his friends they just jump from job to job finding the easiest one out there. I wanted him to start working at 16, but his mom wouldn’t let him. I make him work for any money he wants from me whereas his mother gives him anything he wants and whines for. We all know the military is a bit of a joke but lessons can still be learnt. 

[Mason45]

I've seen this Thai teenage male problem many times in my estate. From the day most Thai males are born they are spoiled out of control by their grannies when their parents go to work. By the time they're school age they are totally out of control and can throw all sorts of tantrums when they don't get their own way. Once they are teenagers they hang about with others their own age group so they then have total disregard for the law. Only yesterday a youngster opposite our soi was bashing his head into a concrete wall, all because he locked his keys inside where he lives. When I approached him he was showing his teeth and snarling like a wild dog. I've seen him behaving like this several times. May I add he goes to university and was awarded a Kings scolarship, so it appears that most young guys have same lawless traits.