Jump in volunteers 'stems from rising image of Army'

The good image of the military arising from it tackling the country’s problems is among chief reasons more young men are interested in becoming soldiers, according to Royal Thai Army (RTA) deputy spokeswoman Colonel Sirichan Ngathong. 

“Other factors are higher pay, good welfare, etc,” she said yesterday. 

This year, the army selected new recruits from April 1 to 12. 

Young men are required to report for the recruitment process for the armed forces to fill available positions. Of 496,748 men called for the recruitment process, some 99,373 became recruits. 

“While 43,446 men are volunteers, the rest were conscripted,” Sirichan said. 

The volunteers filled all available recruit positions in 55 areas, she added. These areas were in Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Suphan Buri, Saraburi, Nakhon Nayok, Phetchaburi, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, Nan, Mae Hong Son, Tak, Phayao, Chiang Rai, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Satun, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat. 

Of the new recruits, 75,404 have been assigned to the army, 16,000 to the Navy and 7,969 to the Royal Thai Air Force. 

Sirichan said the recruits would have to report for work on May 1. Failing to answer a summons for conscription is considered a legal offence.