Thailand's 2025 Military Draft: Pride, Dreams, and Gender Identity

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy of NBC News

 

On the first day of Thailand's 2025 military draft in Uthai Thani Province, diverse stories unfolded against a backdrop of anticipation and tradition. At the Nong Kha Yang District Office, two young men achieved their childhood dreams, volunteering eagerly to join the military ranks as professional soldiers. Their aspirations were lauded by Colonel Prapass Klanghon as they stepped confidently into a lifelong commitment to national service.

 

Meanwhile, the draft process took a poignant turn with the participation of Arit Kannika, a transgender woman whose presence drew significant attention. Known as "Nong Mo," and a final-year Communication Arts student, Arit participated with grace and purpose, showcasing the diversity of modern Thailand. With her gender identity officially certified, she confidently anticipated exemption from service under Thai law, which allows transgender women to avoid conscription with proper medical documentation.

 

 

 

Also present was 21-year-old Thanet Saenlop, "Nong Tor," navigating the process for the first time. Unsure about the proceedings, she expressed readiness to defer her participation until she obtains her medical certificate, highlighting the challenges faced by those lacking documentation in a system that doesn't yet acknowledge gender transitions legally.

 

As the draft unfolded, emotions ran high, blending pride, dreams, and the quest for identity in a ceremonial lottery of chance and choice. The event was a microcosm of societal change, reflecting both the rigidity and flexibility of traditions in the face of evolving human narratives. For some, it was a day of accomplishment, and for others, a step toward affirming their true selves, illustrating the complexity and richness of human experience in contemporary Thailand, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-04-01

 

 

[wombat]

Photos please 

[tomazbodner]

1 minute ago, wombat said:

Photos please 

If you're so interested in ladyboys, install WeChat...

[AustinRacing]

A kid was asked “why do you want to be a cop”. He replied “so I can make a lot of money”. There you have it. TIT

[Peterphuket]

2 minutes ago, AustinRacing said:

A kid was asked “why do you want to be a cop”. He replied “so I can make a lot of money”. There you have it. TIT

Indeed, and what I mentioned before: the likelihood of an MB.

[FlorC]

Like now happening in europe , women and "so called " women should be drafted.

They want to be equal and have the same rights ? Ok , get drafted too.

[daveAustin]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Arit participated with grace and purpose, showcasing the diversity of modern Thailand. With her gender identity officially certified, she confidently anticipated exemption from service under Thai law, which allows transgender women to avoid conscription with proper medical documentation

Oh aye, they dress up to the nines to avoid it. Amusing, eye opening process to anyone that hasn’t attended. Can’t blame them. 

[Expat Tom]

Sometimes it might look like a duck, walk like a duck and quack like a duck but not, in fact, be a duck. 

All of this is so confusing that it make me very happy to be an old fashion "Straight guy". All I can say is, "To each his/her/? own". I'm sure that Thai authorities can sort it all out with their usual unambiguous efficiency .   🤣

[Baba Naba]

The photos are from a whole year ago!

[kingstonkid]

11 minutes ago, Baba Naba said:

The photos are from a whole year ago!

Shame the one on the clickbait is cute

[Rickman66]

The ladyboys fight harder then thai "men"

[mrfill]

Did any of them claim to have bone spurs?

[bluemoon58]

"I'm sure the pretty one is on Tinder", my mate said...!!!

[PomPolo]

Couple of tubby ones on there looks like they could do with a couple of good assault courses.
WRT to ladyboy soldiers if they had them no country would ever go to war with Thailand if they saw videos of Pattaya Walking street and Phuket Bangla on a regular night!

[Grumpy one]

1 hour ago, tomazbodner said:

If you're so interested in ladyboys, install WeChat...

Or bob and his mates  

[Classic Ray]

I would have thought that there are many jobs in the military eg admin, catering, medic, driver etc etc that a ladyboy or woman could do even if the Army are not ready for them to be combat troops.

 

I see no reason to exempt either category from the draft.

[G Rex]

Like  Corporal Klinger in MASH - send me home please, I don't want to play!

[black tabby12345]

Does Thai military veteran have enough benefits after their discharge?

 

[thecyclist]

3 hours ago, tomazbodner said:

If you're so interested in ladyboys, install WeChat...

Or go to Pattaya, swarming with ladyboys pre, post and in between. 

[Toby1947]

Never heard anything like it, What a weird society. 😅🤣

[newbee2022]

3 hours ago, Rickman66 said:

The ladyboys fight harder then thai "men"

Yeah, we can read that almost every day on AN 🤗

[PETERTHEEATER]

5 hours ago, AustinRacing said:

A kid was asked “why do you want to be a cop”. He replied “so I can make a lot of money”. There you have it. TIT

Another was asked "Why do you want to be a soldier?"

He replied 'Because I want to be Uncle Tu's gardener"

[thesetat]

5 hours ago, Rickman66 said:

The ladyboys fight harder then thai "men"

yes and they already know the pack behavior. Just what the military needs when they are assigned to disperse riots and protesters. Since Thailand could never take on another country in a war with actual fighting. 

[off road pat]

7 hours ago, AustinRacing said:

A kid was asked “why do you want to be a cop”. He replied “so I can make a lot of money”. There you have it. TIT

Most Politicians were police officers and made fortune just like Thaksin before entering politics.

[paul1804]

I am with Trump, there are only 2 genders, male & female!! All this Ladyboy, transgender & Kathoey stuff is just plain nonsense!! 

[CHdiver]

I imagin a battalion Ladyboys, all wearing steel high heels. Even Navy Seals would succumb to such a mighty force. 

[Shocked farang]

11 hours ago, AustinRacing said:

A kid was asked “why do you want to be a cop”. He replied “so I can make a lot of money”. There you have it. TIT

A soldier is not a cop... 

[Shocked farang]

2 hours ago, paul1804 said:

I am with Trump, there are only 2 genders, male & female!! All this Ladyboy, transgender & Kathoey stuff is just plain nonsense!! 

Well, you have to recognize that once a male cuts his willie and tries to build some kind of vagina, he is no longer a male... 

[Shocked farang]

5 hours ago, thesetat said:

yes and they already know the pack behavior. Just what the military needs when they are assigned to disperse riots and protesters. Since Thailand could never take on another country in a war with actual fighting. 

I wouldn't say that, I believe that Thailand has the best, most equipped army in Southeast Asia. 

[Shocked farang]

3 hours ago, off road pat said:

Most Politicians were police officers and made fortune just like Thaksin before entering politics.

You have just named a living legend that cannot be named...