BANGKOK, Thailand – Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has welcomed the growing number of young Thais voluntarily enlisting for military service, describing it as a shift in public attitudes toward conscription. His remarks came during a recent official visit to the 2025 military recruitment process in Udon Thani province, where he observed the selection alongside senior military officials.
Between April 1 and 5, 3,728 young men took part in the recruitment process in Udon Thani. Of the 946 required recruits, 308 volunteered, representing over 32 percent of the total. The increase in voluntary enlistment represents efforts by the Ministry of Defense to modernize the conscription system and encourage service through more flexible and appealing options.
To attract volunteers, the Defense Ministry has introduced several benefits, including allowing recruits to choose their preferred branch and posting, providing vocational training and academic programs, and offering post-service job placement through coordination with the Ministry of Labor.
Phumtham noted that the government’s goal extends beyond reducing mandatory enlistment. Military service is being redefined as a valuable experience that prepares individuals for a range of national challenges, including disaster response, cybersecurity, and public health emergencies. While compulsory service remains in place, the shift toward voluntary enlistment is seen as a step forward in building the personal and professional growth of each recruit. (NNT)
