12 transgender women drafted, exempted from military service in Pattaya

0
2254
While they were forced to draw lottery tickets this year, 12 transgender women still were disqualified from service at the military service drawing in Pattaya.
While they were forced to draw lottery tickets this year, 12 transgender women still were disqualified from service at the military service drawing in Pattaya.

While they were forced to draw lottery tickets this year, 12 transgender women still were disqualified from service at this year’s military service drawing in Pattaya.

Nearly 1,350 males under the age of 21 showed up for the April 7-8 drawing at Pattaya School No. 2 with the armed forces aiming to draft 405 of them. Transgender women, who the government continues to list as men on their government identification cards, were required to appear.

The Sisters Foundation transgender-assistance group was on hand to counsel them on the tests and the requirements and supervised as soldiers measured the trans-women’s silicone and hormone-enhanced chests.

Unlike in previous years, the transgender women were required to draw a colored card which say whether they were drafted or exempted.

April 7 was the first batch of the annual Military Service draw in Thailand and for Pattaya, it’s slightly different with the growing numbers of transgender individuals around. The two day Military Service draw and check-ups take place April 7-8 at Pattaya School 2, and this year the Sisters Foundation were also present to look after their transgender members.

Twelve of the transgender women pulled red cards, which would normally require they enlist. However, due to “technical” reasons, military officers exempted them from service.