Joining The Thai Army, Would You Send Your Son?

[krisb]

Just wondering if anyone out there has a Thai son and if they would let him join the Thai army? My wifes son has been training for some time now from what I understand as part of his schooling. He often enough goes off to learn and be Army trained.

I know it does help teach great life skills like discipline, fitness etc, which is great for a young man to learn. What I want to get a better understanding of is if he was to go full time after he finishes school, whats the Thai Army get up to? Are they off fighting the troubles down south? Do they fight overseas? Will they be getting shot at or shooting back? What perks to they get? ie cheap home loans etc like the Aussie Armed forces get.

So does anyone know more than me, which isnt alot about the Thai Army and what they get up to?

[weegee]

1. If he is old enough (Your Son) to join the army, he is old enough to make his own decision on that...

Many young men here join the Army here in Thailand, for the Job security, that's it....just ask them. Been through this with the Son In Law, here, recently.

[h90]

For my time drafted in the Austrian army and for one of our staff now at the Thai army it means:

Learning to drink, smoke and other narcotics. Eat unhealthy.

Learn that only power counts and that human life is counts just as much as money can pay. Be the slave of someone higher ranking, etc etc.

I think everyone must decide themself if they want to do it or try to avoid it. It should not be up to you if you let him. It must be his decision.

[Somtamnication]

Wife and I have already agreed that we will break his legs and have him disqualified, along with wearing a wig, lipstick, shaved legs and arms and head out to the lottery camp on the day of his draft meeting.

[manarak]

get the son on the officers' track and buy him a commission

[Morakot]

No.

[Lancelot]

get the son on the officers' track and buy him a commission

Right out of the British Army playbook.

Some times we forget that the corruption here was also rampant back in the west as well. Maybe still is

[CWMcMurray]

My wife's little brother want to join, but wants to go the officer route...

Will be taking the admissions test end of next month

If passing will attend military boarding school for M4-M6 and then to Military college (majoring in Engineering) and then commission once graduating

This is what he wants and bought a study guide with his own money and has advised that if he doesn't pass the entrance exams this year will try again next year

His back up plan is to study The math science track at current Matayom

And then study Engineering at University

Sadat as I am concerned... Let them do what they want... If they want to join, you should support them

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

[doji]

Wife and I have already agreed that we will break his legs and have him disqualified, along with wearing a wig, lipstick, shaved legs and arms and head out to the lottery camp on the day of his draft meeting.

or you can simply feed him a popsicle before bedtime every night for 3 months. Trust me, he will get thrown back to you faster than when he came in. They do not want any FAT kids!

Disclaimer: seen the selection process on Utube

[simple1]

Ask if he understands that "War Is Merely the Continuation of Policy by Other Means". I am sure he would put his life on the line if Thailand were ever to be invaded or threatened by internal forces. In the meantime would he comply to the directives of an ethically corrupt political, law and security agency system?

[krisb]

1. If he is old enough (Your Son) to join the army, he is old enough to make his own decision on that...
2. Many young men here join the Army here in Thailand, for the Job security, that's it....just ask them. Been through this with the Son In Law, here, recently.

Absolutely up to him. He is only 17 and still at school. Its a case of after he finishes school at me and the wife giving him some guidance. I am not the father although I treat him like my son. Unfortunately his Dads a deadbeat. Im after the answers like will he see combat in Thailand or do they head overseas to fight? Obviously in any army there is a chance of seeing war, but is the Thai armed forces currently seeing any? Would he be sent down south Thailand?

Does anyone have any relatives, friends what ever currently serving in the Thai forces and how is it?

[krisb]

1. If he is old enough (Your Son) to join the army, he is old enough to make his own decision on that...
2. Many young men here join the Army here in Thailand, for the Job security, that's it....just ask them. Been through this with the Son In Law, here, recently.

So is your sil going Weegee?

[krisb]

Wife and I have already agreed that we will break his legs and have him disqualified, along with wearing a wig, lipstick, shaved legs and arms and head out to the lottery camp on the day of his draft meeting.

tv.jpg

<deleted> is that pic??

Your warping my fragile little mind

[transam]

get the son on the officers' track and buy him a commission

We were told 300,000 bht to skip the hurdles. Total Rolox in my opinion.

[simple1]

1. If he is old enough (Your Son) to join the army, he is old enough to make his own decision on that...
2. Many young men here join the Army here in Thailand, for the Job security, that's it....just ask them. Been through this with the Son In Law, here, recently.

Absolutely up to him. He is only 17 and still at school. Its a case of after he finishes school at me and the wife giving him some guidance. I am not the father although I treat him like my son. Unfortunately his Dads a deadbeat. Im after the answers like will he see combat in Thailand or do they head overseas to fight? Obviously in any army there is a chance of seeing war, but is the Thai armed forces currently seeing any? Would he be sent down south Thailand?

Does anyone have any relatives, friends what ever currently serving in the Thai forces and how is it?

Thai combat infantry were sent to Korea and Vietnam where they suffered casualties. sent to Somalia for anti piracy operations, engineers to Afghanistan, an army medical team sent to Iraq etc etc. No guarantee his unit would not be transferred to the Deep South or of course anywhere else in Thailand where a conflict might arise.

if he speaks fluent English, may be a career in military intelligence/liaison.

[TerryLH]

"My wifes son has been training for some time now from what I understand as part of his schooling."

You didn't say what he wants to do, so I'd guess he's taking the course in school so he'll be exempt from the draft/lottery.

If he chooses military life as a career, it often turns out well. Not so for conscripts.

I understand conscripts are not the major force in the South, but don't know that for a fact.

Terry

[evadgib]

The terms and conditions of service in UK/Canada/Oz/Nz/US are surely more favourable to dual nationals than they are here.

[Semper]

Joining The Thai Army, Would You Send Your Son?

Hell yeah. You'll get rid of him for two years and he might learn some manners. Besides, he might make a very good career in the Army.

[weegee]

1. If he is old enough (Your Son) to join the army, he is old enough to make his own decision on that...
2. Many young men here join the Army here in Thailand, for the Job security, that's it....just ask them. Been through this with the Son In Law, here, recently.

So is your sil going Weegee?

I know where i would like to send her.....

[weegee]

1. If he is old enough (Your Son) to join the army, he is old enough to make his own decision on that...
2. Many young men here join the Army here in Thailand, for the Job security, that's it....just ask them. Been through this with the Son In Law, here, recently.

So is your sil going Weegee?

I know where i would like to send her.....

OOps read it wrong way....thought you were talking about Sister In Law....But NO, he has looked into it, and decided against it, for reasons i am not aware of yet.

[theblether]

get the son on the officers' track and buy him a commission

Right out of the British Army playbook.

Some times we forget that the corruption here was also rampant back in the west as well. Maybe still is

Behave Lancelot, we just had a thread on that very issue last week and some of our members seriously spat the dummy out.

On a more serious note, a young man embarking upon a career as a commissioned officer in Thailand will almost certainly find himself in the protected species category. Note the word career, not merely doing National Service.

[theblether]

The terms and conditions of service in UK/Canada/Oz/Nz/US are surely more favourable to dual nationals than they are here.

The problem with dual nationality in regards to UK citizens, is that the UK will make no attempt or effort whatsoever to interfere with any statutory demands made upon you by your other country. So a Thai / UK national will not be able to turn to the UK for any protection in regards having to do mandatory National Service for Thailand.

[Songhua]

Our son is 19yo, born in Australia and lived here all his life.

His older sister holds dual citizenship (has a Thai passport), however we have never registered his birth at the Thai consulate here. We did this by design and explained the situation regarding conscription to him when he was 16, pointed out that it's 'all part of being Thai' and told him that it would be his decision as to whether he wanted to register his birth and obtain an ID/passport.

I served twenty years in the forces and would in some ways like to see him enlist, however he has decided it's not for him. We respect his decision.

[ozziebloke]

Our son ( My stepson but still my son! Love him dearly ) Has been in the Navy near 5 years, First student/ cadet then went through all the courses to become a Navy seal officer. There are not many perks apart from security of employment. He has learned a great deal that he can use in the civilian world as in employment. On the negative side he could be sent south or to any border at any time and being a seal or SS as in Aus he is specialised in his area so that upsets my wife considerably

[mjj]

The military is the only career that I ban my son from entering.

I would love him to be a Doctor, but would accept him working in 7-11 if he wanted, but under no circumstances is he going to be shot at because so dippy politician thinks its a good idea.

[TerryLH]

"So a Thai / UK national will not be able to turn to the UK for any protection in regards having to do mandatory National Service for Thailand."

'm not sure any country will interfere in Thai affairs. Might be something in your passports about that.

"...however we have never registered his birth at the Thai consulate here. We did this by design and explained the situation regarding conscription to him when he was 16, pointed out that it's 'all part of being Thai' and told him that it would be his decision as to whether he wanted to register his birth and obtain an ID/passport."

I suspect you don't know how the system works. They don't draw names from birth certificates or passports. They get the names from the House Registration books. If your son doesn't live here and/or isn't in the book, he won't be called to draw.

If he were to draw, the chances of actually going in the military is relatively low.

When he's 30 he can get an exemption card.

Terry

[Songhua]

Thanks Terry. I wasn't suggesting he would be conscripted solely because he had a birth certificate or passport though.

From the Sydney Consulate site:

Documents required for an application (for passport) are as follows:

• copy of Thai National ID Card;
• copy of Thai House Registration;
• copy of the profile page on the current passport;
• copy of name or surname change (if applicable);
• copy of Marriage or Divorce Certificate (if applicable)

Documents required for minors (under 20 years of age) applying for an E-Passport

• copy of Thai Birth Certificate or National ID Card;
• copy of Thai House Registration of minor and parents;
• copy of parent’s Thai National ID Card;
• copy of parent’s Marriage Certificate;
• copy of parent’s Passport (for non-Thai parent)

He can't obtain an ID or passport without being on a tabien baan, and the tabien baan (as you correctly point out) is the way selection is done.

[breadbin]

Is it not the case still that if they participate in army schooling etc. they are then exempt?

My wife's nephew in Udon did it. I asked him years ago why he didn't join up and was told he was exempt as his went to some sort of army school.

[vtjforyou]

Yes I will send him to die for a stupid retarded cause !

[Colonel_Mustard]

No.