Former student activist Sirawit "Ja New" Serithiwat, a core member of the New Democracy Group, has been exempted from military conscription after he was found to be overweight.
Mr Sirawit, 25, reported to an army drafting unit at Wat Nong Chok (Pakdinoraseth) School in Bangkok's Nong Chok district Monday morning, as required by the law.
Sirawit 'Ja New' Serithiwat reports for military conscription in Bangkok's Nong Chok district Monday morning. (Photo by Apichit Jinakul)
Although he is eligible to seek another deferment until the age of 26, the former student activist opted to waive that right.
Mr Sirawit said he had been requesting deferment since 2011 because he was still a political science student at Thammasat University. Now a university graduate, he decided to report for conscription and take his chance on drawing a red or black card. This meant if he drew the red, he would be drafted into military service.
However, a physical examination Monday afternoon placed Mr Sirawit in Category 4. Those in this category are not qualified for conscription because they are overweight, with a body mass index of more than 35.
Mr Sirawit said afterwards he had been issued a Sor Dor 43 paper, certifying that he had gone through the drafting process.
Mr Sirawit is known for his anti-coup activism, and he has had several run-ins with the law in connection with his anti-coup protests. Last month, he questioned whether the military had tried to single out anti-government activists for the draft.
"I heard the army's list [of draftees] gives special attention to activists even though reporting for conscription is a normal thing for Thai men. I think there is a hidden motive behind this," he wrote on Facebook.
He said earlier that although he disagreed with the draft he had no intention of defying the military conscription law.
"The army sees me as an enemy and some army men have treated me badly. I don't trust them," he said last month.