Do I Have To Serve In Thai Army?

[khemm]

Hi i was wondering if i needed to serve my country. I don't know a lot about this thing so any information would be great!

My mom keeps telling my i have to serve in the army but i'm not even living in thailand, i'm in *european country* living my life but i have a thai passport.

The age to serve is 21 right? We have been thinking of swapping my passport and creditentials to *european country* as i have been living here 10 years.

Am i required to serve or not?

[necronx99]

You are obligated to take part in the draft lottery.

Don't come to Thailand until after you are 30.

[khemm]

You are obligated to take part in the draft lottery.

Don't come to Thailand until after you are 30.

What do you mean with obligated? Do i have to come down to thailand?

[necronx99]

You are obligated to take part in the draft lottery.

Don't come to Thailand until after you are 30.

What do you mean with obligated? Do i have to come down to thailand?

Yes, if you want to be a legal Thai citizen with all the rights associated you should come to Thailand and take part in the draft lottery or pay your way out of it.

Not a bad idea if you only have a Thai passport.

[khemm]

You are obligated to take part in the draft lottery.

Don't come to Thailand until after you are 30.

What do you mean with obligated? Do i have to come down to thailand?

Yes, if you want to be a legal Thai citizen with all the rights associated you should come to Thailand and take part in the draft lottery or pay your way out of it.

Not a bad idea if you only have a Thai passport.

Is there a big chance to get chosen? And if you were to get chosen is it a lot about the language?

I know khmer and thai just a bit, i can understand when people speak but can't write or speak a lot! Ain't that gonna be a problem?

[samran]

No you don't.

The rules provide for exceptional circumstances if you aren't able to make the draft lottery and (importantly) can't provide a proxy to attend on your behalf. Living overseas is a good one. So you don't have to do anything.

As mentioned, don't return to live in Thailand till you are 30, at which point you are automatically exempted when you turn up to report.

I did this and was fine the grand amount of 200 baht for reporting late. Max fine was 400 baht.

Visits in the meantime are fine, but wherever possible, I'd extend your Thai passport offshore via the embassy, just to be on the safe side.

[p_brownstone]

If you have a Thai Passport you are already "a legal Thai Citizen with all the rights associated".

Unless you plan to return to live permanently in Thailand you will have no problems simply ignoring the requirement for Thai National Service - indeed if you are not on a Thai House Registration (Tabien Baan) the Thai Army will not even know you exist. If you plan to visit Thailand for a short while on holiday - for example - you can use your Thai Passport to enter the Country and, again, you will not come to the notice of the Thai Army recruiters.

After the age of 30 you are automatically exempt from Serving (however if you return to Thailand to live you will need to get a Document from the Government certifying that you are exempt - this will be required by any Company wanting to employ you but is easily available).

Patrick

[khemm]

No you don't.

The rules provide for exceptional circumstances if you aren't able to make the draft lottery and (importantly) can't provide a proxy to attend on your behalf. Living overseas is a good one. So you don't have to do anything.

As mentioned, don't return to live in Thailand till you are 30, at which point you are automatically exempted when you turn up to report.

I did this and was fine the grand amount of 200 baht for reporting late. Max fine was 400 baht.

Visits in the meantime are fine, but wherever possible, I'd extend your Thai passport offshore via the embassy, just to be on the safe side.

Hmm, i might be visiting thailand a lot becuse we often do these trips and go to thailand together, will that be a problem or do they like chase me down and put me in the draft?

What do you mean extending thai passport offshore via the embassy?

[khemm]

If you have a Thai Passport you are already "a legal Thai Citizen with all the rights associated".

Unless you plan to return to live permanently in Thailand you will have no problems simply ignoring the requirement for Thai National Service - indeed if you are not on a Thai House Registration (Tabien Baan) the Thai Army will not even know you exist. If you plan to visit Thailand for a short while on holiday - for example - you can use your Thai Passport to enter the Country and, again, you will not come to the notice of the Thai Army recruiters.

After the age of 30 you are automatically exempt from Serving (however if you return to Thailand to live you will need to get a Document from the Government certifying that you are exempt - this will be required by any Company wanting to employ you but is easily available).

Patrick

So unless i plan to live in thailand i am not required to take the military service?

[p_brownstone]

If you have a Thai Passport you are already "a legal Thai Citizen with all the rights associated".

Unless you plan to return to live permanently in Thailand you will have no problems simply ignoring the requirement for Thai National Service - indeed if you are not on a Thai House Registration (Tabien Baan) the Thai Army will not even know you exist. If you plan to visit Thailand for a short while on holiday - for example - you can use your Thai Passport to enter the Country and, again, you will not come to the notice of the Thai Army recruiters.

After the age of 30 you are automatically exempt from Serving (however if you return to Thailand to live you will need to get a Document from the Government certifying that you are exempt - this will be required by any Company wanting to employ you but is easily available).

Patrick

So unless i plan to live in thailand i am not required to take the military service?

Exactly.

You might ask your Mother if you are on a Thai House Registration by the way - were you born in Thailand? As I say unless you are on a Thai Tabian Baan no-one in the Thai Army will know you exist so you cannot come to their attention to be "chased down".

Also, obviously, if you only have a Thai Passport - and not another from the "European Country" - if you visit Thailand then you will need a Visa to return to Europe, however if you have 2 Passports simply enter and leave Thailand on the Thai Passport and re-enter Europe on the other one.

Never a problem.

Patrick

[samran]

No you don't.

The rules provide for exceptional circumstances if you aren't able to make the draft lottery and (importantly) can't provide a proxy to attend on your behalf. Living overseas is a good one. So you don't have to do anything.

As mentioned, don't return to live in Thailand till you are 30, at which point you are automatically exempted when you turn up to report.

I did this and was fine the grand amount of 200 baht for reporting late. Max fine was 400 baht.

Visits in the meantime are fine, but wherever possible, I'd extend your Thai passport offshore via the embassy, just to be on the safe side.

Hmm, i might be visiting thailand a lot becuse we often do these trips and go to thailand together, will that be a problem or do they like chase me down and put me in the draft?

What do you mean extending thai passport offshore via the embassy?

You've been living outside of Thailand most of your life by the sounds of it. So you probably don't have a valid ID card, or indeed, be in the house registration. This effectively puts you off the radar of the conscription people when you turn 20.

To extend your passport in Thailand you NEED a valid ID card.

Offshore, in my experience, they are alot more lienient, and well extend the passport so long as you show your proof of Thai citizenship (ie old passport, Thai birth certificate).

Travel to Thailand on the Thai passport is fine. I've stayed extended periods when under 30, but never got the ID card till I was 30.

[necronx99]

If you have a Thai Passport you are already "a legal Thai Citizen with all the rights associated".

.

Patrick

I would suggest that being able to reside in your own country should you choose or to or the need arise without prosecution or penalty would be one of those right associated.....

[khemm]

No you don't.

The rules provide for exceptional circumstances if you aren't able to make the draft lottery and (importantly) can't provide a proxy to attend on your behalf. Living overseas is a good one. So you don't have to do anything.

As mentioned, don't return to live in Thailand till you are 30, at which point you are automatically exempted when you turn up to report.

I did this and was fine the grand amount of 200 baht for reporting late. Max fine was 400 baht.

Visits in the meantime are fine, but wherever possible, I'd extend your Thai passport offshore via the embassy, just to be on the safe side.

Hmm, i might be visiting thailand a lot becuse we often do these trips and go to thailand together, will that be a problem or do they like chase me down and put me in the draft?

What do you mean extending thai passport offshore via the embassy?

You've been living outside of Thailand most of your life by the sounds of it. So you probably don't have a valid ID card, or indeed, be in the house registration. This effectively puts you off the radar of the conscription people when you turn 20.

To extend your passport in Thailand you NEED a valid ID card.

Offshore, in my experience, they are alot more lienient, and well extend the passport so long as you show your proof of Thai citizenship (ie old passport, Thai birth certificate).

Travel to Thailand on the Thai passport is fine. I've stayed extended periods when under 30, but never got the ID card till I was 30.

We do have a family house in thailand which was built 15 years ago, would that be a problem? It stands in my fathers and mothers name.

*born in thailand

[khemm]

If you have a Thai Passport you are already "a legal Thai Citizen with all the rights associated".

Unless you plan to return to live permanently in Thailand you will have no problems simply ignoring the requirement for Thai National Service - indeed if you are not on a Thai House Registration (Tabien Baan) the Thai Army will not even know you exist. If you plan to visit Thailand for a short while on holiday - for example - you can use your Thai Passport to enter the Country and, again, you will not come to the notice of the Thai Army recruiters.

After the age of 30 you are automatically exempt from Serving (however if you return to Thailand to live you will need to get a Document from the Government certifying that you are exempt - this will be required by any Company wanting to employ you but is easily available).

Patrick

So unless i plan to live in thailand i am not required to take the military service?

Exactly.

You might ask your Mother if you are on a Thai House Registration by the way - were you born in Thailand? As I say unless you are on a Thai Tabian Baan no-one in the Thai Army will know you exist so you cannot come to their attention to be "chased down".

Also, obviously, if you only have a Thai Passport - and not another from the "European Country" - if you visit Thailand then you will need a Visa to return to Europe, however if you have 2 Passports simply enter and leave Thailand on the Thai Passport and re-enter Europe on the other one.

Never a problem.

Patrick

Yes, i was born in thailand and we got a house there which we built 15 years ago. I think it stands on my mothers name.

[khemm]

So to sum it up, i was born in thailand and lived for 5 years there then moved out. We have a house there which was built 15 years ago on my mothers name.

Just to confirm can i now just travel to Thailand and be there on vacation and trips without taking the draft?

[p_brownstone]

If you have a Thai Passport you are already "a legal Thai Citizen with all the rights associated".

Unless you plan to return to live permanently in Thailand you will have no problems simply ignoring the requirement for Thai National Service - indeed if you are not on a Thai House Registration (Tabien Baan) the Thai Army will not even know you exist. If you plan to visit Thailand for a short while on holiday - for example - you can use your Thai Passport to enter the Country and, again, you will not come to the notice of the Thai Army recruiters.

After the age of 30 you are automatically exempt from Serving (however if you return to Thailand to live you will need to get a Document from the Government certifying that you are exempt - this will be required by any Company wanting to employ you but is easily available).

Patrick

So unless i plan to live in thailand i am not required to take the military service?

Exactly.

You might ask your Mother if you are on a Thai House Registration by the way - were you born in Thailand? As I say unless you are on a Thai Tabian Baan no-one in the Thai Army will know you exist so you cannot come to their attention to be "chased down".

Also, obviously, if you only have a Thai Passport - and not another from the "European Country" - if you visit Thailand then you will need a Visa to return to Europe, however if you have 2 Passports simply enter and leave Thailand on the Thai Passport and re-enter Europe on the other one.

Never a problem.

Patrick

Yes, i was born in thailand and we got a house there which we built 15 years ago. I think it stands on my mothers name.

Actually having a house is not the issue - every house in Thailand has a House Registration document, which lists all the people legally Resident at that Address; you should find out from your Mother if you are listed on that document.

If you are, around the time when you are 21 years old the Head of that Household will receive notification for you to attend the Lottery for the Thai Draft or give sufficient reason why you cannot. In your case he will simply tell them you are living overseas.

As said previously however if you are NOT listed you are off the radar.

Patrick

[khemm]

Thank you all for helping me and especially you Patrick!

problem solved!

[Trembly]

You are obligated to take part in the draft lottery.

Don't come to Thailand until after you are 30.

What do you mean with obligated? Do i have to come down to thailand?

Yes, if you want to be a legal Thai citizen with all the rights associated you should come to Thailand and take part in the draft lottery or pay your way out of it.

Not a bad idea if you only have a Thai passport.

Is there a big chance to get chosen? And if you were to get chosen is it a lot about the language?

I know khmer and thai just a bit, i can understand when people speak but can't write or speak a lot! Ain't that gonna be a problem?

That will rule you out straight away. All civil servants, police and servicemen have must have a basic standard of Thai literacy.

[croweater]

You are obligated to take part in the draft lottery.

Don't come to Thailand until after you are 30.

what is wrong with aman serving for his country,don't encourage somebody tobe a draft dodger. That a an illegal post, in my opinion.

[samran]

Thing is croweater, if you have read the rules like I have, you'll see it isn't illegal.

[h90]

Try to avoid the Thai army and also try to avoid to get drafted in an European army....

[mrtoad]

Ditch your Thai passport where it belongs.... in the bin.

Another genius joins the fray.

Why don't you go back to chasing parked cars or whatever it is that keeps you entertained during the day?

Collecting dog poo is his main hobby

[croweater]

Thing is croweater, if you have read the rules like I have, you'll see it isn't illegal.

draft dodging is illegal,except if you are the son of you know who.

[croweater]

Try to avoid the Thai army and also try to avoid to get drafted in an European army....

I was called up for national service, did my time and was proud to do so.my opinion of draft dodgers would get me banned from tv.

[samran]

Thing is croweater, if you have read the rules like I have, you'll see it isn't illegal.

draft dodging is illegal,except if you are the son of you know who.

Thing is croweater, if you have read the rules like I have, you'll see it isn't illegal.

draft dodging is illegal,except if you are the son of you know who.

The rules are very clear on it. Being unable to report and not being able to send a proxy only requires that once you turn 30, you must attend in person. It is not a high crime.

Late attendance for this reason is fined a maximum of 400 baht.

Now good for you that you that you answered the call up to the South Australian army. Just because the rules in Australia worked one way doesn't mean they work the same way in Thailand.

[submaniac]

^^

Samran is correct on all of this. And no it is not illegal, it is the way the law is written. And if you are not on a housebook (listed with an address in Thailand) they do not call you up for the lottery. They go off the housebook for the lottery and if you're not on it, they do not have the ability to call you.

[p_brownstone]

Whilst National Service in any of the Western Countries which still have that system may be "character building" as some Posters intimate such is not the case in Thailand.

If you are lucky you will end up as the personal Servant or Driver for the wife or family of a more Senior Officer but more likely you will end up as an ill trained squaddie and potential cannon fodder under the command of one of the scores of Thai Generals promoted to that rank by Seniority, not ability.

Look up "Ban Romklao" for example or vide the current situation in the South of Thailand.

Patrick

[h90]

Whilst National Service in any of the Western Countries which still have that system may be "character building" as some Posters intimate such is not the case in Thailand.

If you are lucky you will end up as the personal Servant or Driver for the wife or family of a more Senior Officer but more likely you will end up as an ill trained squaddie and potential cannon fodder under the command of one of the scores of Thai Generals promoted to that rank by Seniority, not ability.

Look up "Ban Romklao" for example or vide the current situation in the South of Thailand.

Patrick

My staff who is in the army now and happy there....everyone friendly, food and money is good, is half the time delivering ice bags with the motorbike for the generals wives company.

Edit: I was in Europe in the army....it is building only a bad character.....

[h90]

Try to avoid the Thai army and also try to avoid to get drafted in an European army....

I was called up for national service, did my time and was proud to do so.my opinion of draft dodgers would get me banned from tv.

I was one step below the minister, where all the big one who look like christmas trees run around.....

A quarter of them were heavy alcos (3 beer and 3 big Schnaps at 9 AM) and some of my colleagues job was to buy and bring wine from the shop close, every day (they had some small vehicle to carry it....All in full uniform).

Another quarter was almost never there, because they had some other jobs on the side line...I did a fair share of delivery for the "Brigadier" which was not at all military related (at least I had the allowance to come and go as I want with his signature to be more efficient).

The third quarter were complete weirdos.

The rest was OK.

In the 8 month I fired 8 shots and was 3 days in the forest. Which won't make me very efficient against the Russians (which will come every moment), as all the Russian tourists are all KGB who want to check out our military (another weirdo, who reminded us every day that his gun is only to shoot us in the back if we don't charge at the Russians).

The food was rotten down (the head of the kitchen was one of the permanent drunk one, but high ranking, I guess they gave him the kitchen job because they didn't want him close to a gun. Of course the permanent military people got different food.).....Pizza from outside was not allowed (but still eaten, or chocolate) because the Russians will poison it.

Difficult to be proud of that service......

[scorecard]

You are obligated to take part in the draft lottery.

Don't come to Thailand until after you are 30.

what is wrong with aman serving for his country,don't encourage somebody tobe a draft dodger. That a an illegal post, in my opinion.

There's more to 'draft dodger' than just the mere words.

I was drafted (not US) for the Vietnam war, I completed basic training and the day I arrived in Vietnam I was still all hyped up about 'serving my country'.

But a couple of weeks later I started to receive mail from home, with sections of press clippings and many of the hand written words from my father and mother all cut out - censored.

I started to quickly realize that nobody at home (in the then gov't) cared anything about my service, my welafre or whatever - just a small worthless pawn in big boys political games, with many aspects of the 'games' with no credibility.

On several occasions I had to sit in 'royal commissions' in the field to listen to drunken politicians conducting surveys and whatever. Many of us were nominated by the 'visitors' to answer questions. The answers were whispered in our ear by the political masters standing right behind us.

If I could have the time over, having had the Vietnam experience, would I dodge the draft? I don't know, but I certainly would see it all in a very different light. War is not the answer!