
'Pay your way out of the draft!" When the general in charge of compulsory conscription proposed this idea earlier this month, it was quickly slammed, and rightly so.
Lt Gen Taweepoon Rimsakorn, head of the Territorial Defence Command, said financial incentives are key to boosting voluntary enlistment. He proposed using money from those wanting to skip the draft to improve the salaries and welfare benefits of voluntary conscripts, which he claimed would also save taxpayer money.
His suggestion sparked a widespread backlash. Under-the-table payments to dodge the draft are already an open secret. Losing two productive years and career advancement opportunities, which results when young men are forced to serve, are not the only reasons to bribe your way out. Fear of hazing, even deaths, from the brutal treatment that persists due to the culture of impunity in the military is another reason.
Making "tea money" legal would only legitimise longstanding corruption and bribery and tarnish the military's reputation further. The practice will end up deepening disparity, favouring those with money while leaving poorer men with no choice but to serve. This ill-thought-out proposal also violates the constitution, which requires all Thais serve in the armed forces.
Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai tried to downplay the controversy, calling the proposal just an idea. Yet the general's idea has some positive aspects. Despite the military's opposition to ending compulsory conscription -- critics say it is because drafting has become big business -- Lt Gen Taweepoon's idea exposes the fact that Thailand doesn't need as many conscripts on such a large scale as claimed.
The military itself knows this. Advances in technology and changes in military strategy mean fewer active-duty soldiers are required. Consequently, the military has been undergoing structural change to reduce the number of active-duty soldiers. Since voluntary conscripts perform better and are less likely to desert during training compared to those under compulsory draft, the military began offering online applications in 2021.
That first year saw 3,000 applicants, and the numbers have since grown steadily -- 6,101 in 2022, 10,156 in 2023, and 14,135 in 2024. As of early January this year, applications have already surpassed last year's total by 1,400, with registration still open.
With voluntary enlistment on the rise and the military downsizing its active personnel, forced conscription is becoming increasingly unnecessary. Soon, it could be phased out entirely. So why hold onto outdated conscription practices that only breed resentment?
To make this transition, the military must set clear goals, including how much voluntary enlistment should grow and when forced drafting will end. Most importantly, it must rebuild trust with the public.
High-profile hazing incidents and unchecked abuse against conscripts have deterred families from encouraging their sons to enlist. Parents worry about their children being subjected to physical harm -- or worse, dying in camp under suspicious circumstances. A professional army cannot coexist with violations of human rights and a culture of impunity. The military must take decisive action to eradicate these abuses and hold perpetrators accountable.
Equally important is making military service attractive. Increased welfare, better pay, career advancement, and meaningful skills training for the modern army should be cornerstones of a reformed recruitment policy. No more using conscripts as household servants.
Conscripts should leave the military with not just a sense of duty fulfilled but also tangible benefits -- qualifications, job prospects, and pathways to long-term service. Turning military service into a respected profession will encourage more men to volunteer and effectively reduce reliance on forced conscription.
The constitution obliges its male citizens to serve, but this duty must align with modern needs and values. A military built on professionalism rather than coercion will command greater respect both domestically and internationally. It's not just about numbers; it's about quality, motivation, and pride.
The "pay-to-avoid" proposal is not the right path forward. Profiting from young men who are not even needed in the first place reeks of exploitation and policy misuse. It sends the wrong message -- that for the military, money takes priority over its recruits.
Instead, the military must focus on creating a system that incentivises service, eliminates corruption, and upholds the dignity of its personnel. Only then will Thailand's armed forces truly reflect the values of fairness and professionalism it seeks to defend.
Forced conscription is a relic of the past. A better, more just future begins with the courage to reform the military -- starting with the end of forced conscription.