Why does Thailand need so many soldiers?

“What are we going to do without soldiers?”
The next generation of generals?
Ratcatcher
No the next generation of uneducated serfs,  exactly  what the PM and his puppeteers and elite supporters want to maintain.  In fact they may be soldiers by name but hardly by training or nature.
Esso49
Is Thailand the only country that has more generals than conscripts?
I heard a major supermarket were considering a buy-two-get-one-free offer.
bluesofa
“Needs soldiers in times of crisis” – i.e.,   the next COUP.
fobuff
But, on the other side...  there’s a lot of 
aimless Somchais out there, that could do with a bit of discipline...
tifino
All you end up with is a bunch of fairly fit aimless Somchais, who have a rudimentary knowledge of tactics and know their way around infantry weapons.
Not a terribly good thing if you are concerned about restless people and areas, and you are in power by virtue of being a military junta, which seized power in a coup which prevented an election, which was likely to be won by people probably favoured by said Somchais and their kin.
JAG
The draft needs to end. No way my male children (who are Thai citizens) will be soldiers. Speaking of which I heard it's quite easy to avoid the draft. Anyone know what needs to be done? Pay a fine? This is Thailand after all.
jimster
UK and Thailand have similar population sizes. UK armed forces – approximately 230,000 personnel. Professionals, no conscripts (Territorial Army are volunteers, but well-trained). 
Thai Armed Forces – approximately 700,000 personnel. I can’t comment about professionalism.
Seems to me that Thailand should employ fewer, but better trained and better paid, people. Encourage young men and women to consider the armed forces as a career and gradually phase out conscription.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_number_of_military_and_paramilitary_personnel
chickenslegs
From Facebook:
Military need soldiers to overthrow elected government.
Thomas Lee