Hi, Im a 22 yo Thai/Canadian citizen living oversea. I am thinking about joining the Thai army after University for the 6 months thing as I cannot attend the reserve training because I reside oversea. This leaves me a few options: join and do 6 months, take my chance at 2 years or be free, or dont take part at all(stay out of Thailand). I will NOT do 2 years. My name is registered in house registration but I did not report to the ampuor when I was 17 as I don't live there. Spoke to sud sa dee and he said that I live oversea I can apply or not to bother at all. Anyways, I need to be exempted from military service to apply for a job at an airline in Thailand..its a little less competitive than Canada for qualified pilots(not experienced).

From what I heard from the Thais I have talked to: I may be hazed in basic training, after training, depending on what I am assigned to, I may grow vegetables, raise pigs, or maning checkpoint(at 3,000 THB per month?). I from northern Thailand, so my chance of going south is slime, but I am not worried.

Just wanted to know what you or your son's expirence serving? how was you or your son treated during his time? Does speaking English help with posting, pay ect? I want to hear stories from the outside, so any reply is appreciated. Also, my step father is a non Thai, would me serving help him with visa or moving to Thailand? Thanks.

Edited January 21, 201511 yr by Vuvuzela

As far as i am aware, if you volunteer you can join any of the three Thai forces. The Son in law has just signed up, before he gets drafted or conscripted, he has chose the Thai Airforce.Dont worry about your language, Even if you don't speak Thai/English or any other language, they will find a job for you, Pay depends on what he does, and where, they get more money if on active duty.

You could apply with the Thai Navy,

Your English (hope you know some Thai as well...) would be useful at the Sirikit hospital or the Plutaluang Golf Course (Navy facilities), both in Sattahip.

High ranking officers are allowed 2 draftees for lifetime (his, not yours), you could try to become one of them with the duty teaching his kids English (could also be an extra earner).

Or apply with the airforce, maybe good for your career.

Dont worry, you are not going to become cannon-fodder, it will be the opposite, your sense of duty will be appreciated.

Met once a guy, Aussie/Thai, in your situation. He did his half year watching over a driving range/ tennis court/ fitness gym on a Navy base, the only thing he was complaining about was boredom (pre-smartphone times).

For your father nothing will change, except you meet some people...

Thanks for the reply gents. I do speak and read Thai, I moved when I was at the end of M3. Cant wait to get this crap over with..