A teenage student from a poor family was the top performer in this year's admission examinations for the armed forces.

The 2nd Army said on Tuesday that Tharakorn Thongnunui, a 17-year-old grade 10 student at Benchama Maharat School in Ubon Ratchathani province, was the top scorer in the admission examinations for the army, navy and air force.

He came eighth in the admission exam for the Royal Police Cadet Academy.

The announcement said Mr Tharakorn was a son of truck driver and a labourer in Si Sa Ket province. He had studied hard and an army commander granted him cash assistance because his family could not afford even the admission fee.

Mr Tharakorn chose to be a soldier, the 2nd Army said.