The army has defended the practice of drafting conscripts into working as domestic helpers in their superiors' homes, claiming the draftees had given their consent and there are fewer of them in military households now.
One recent case which drew criticism came to light in July when a video clip was circulated online showing an army conscript being admonished by a woman in a Rayong restaurant.
The woman was said to be the wife of the soldier's superior who is a senior naval captain.
The navy later ordered an inquiry into the case.
Several reports also emerged of conscripts allegedly being physically abused by their superiors in barracks and at their superiors' houses. Public concerns have been raised about the mistreatment of the conscripts.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on the Royal Thai Army to stop sending out military conscripts to work as houseboys for military unit chiefs even though they might consent to the practice.
The independent body made the demand after reports emerged saying some military conscripts sent to their bosses' houses had been treated improperly.
Human Rights Watch also spoke out, calling on the government undertake a broader campaign to end the longstanding use of corporal punishment in the armed forces.
Responding to the claims, Deputy army spokeswoman Sirichan Ngathong said the conscripts were chosen to work in their superiors' houses by the chiefs of the army units to which they were attached, who ensured the conscripts suited the jobs. The soldiers are also required to give their consent to such placements, she said.
Those destined for the houses of army unit commanders are required to behave well. Those given the task of being chauffeurs must be skilled drivers while those holding desk jobs must hold at least a bachelor's degree, Col Sirichan said. "These days, there are fewer conscripts doing household chores for their superiors," Col Sirichan noted.
The reason for this is that more of them are being assigned to do military field jobs while the number of recruits is more or less the same each year. Field jobs include peacekeeping assignments and relief work after floods or other natural disasters. "The military workforce needs many personnel and the conscripts have their hands full," she said. The armed forces would rather have them do military assignments as it gives them hands-on training experience. Household services account for only a small fraction of the soldiers' work, she added.
Army spokesman Winthai Suvaree explained that most conscripts work at houses of superiors located within the military camps. Very few stay at the private homes of senior officers outside the barracks. "We should not call them servant soldiers. We need to show dignity to military personnel. Although they were sent to work for their superiors, they are on duty," said Col Winthai.
Some observers, however, said that although critics have questioned the suitability of conscripts being subjected to domestic chores, people in military circles consider it a common practice, which has been part of protocol for many years. After 10 weeks of training, conscripts are assigned to military companies for a specified period of time to gain more experience, a military source, a former conscript, said.
After three or six months in their company, some conscripts can then choose whether they want to work at their superiors' houses, the source said.
Those assigned to households are given chores including cleaning and gardening, the source said, adding this often means they are spared from some of the more arduous parts of regular military training, such as physically demanding exercises in the heat or the rain.
Unit commanders choose which types of work conscripts are suited for, but the process is voluntary, the source said. "[Some] are not keen to take up field training because of the heat and exhaustion," the source said.
"They usually volunteer to be placed in the houses. Sometimes they even lobby to be sent to superiors' houses because of the easier working conditions," the source added.
The former conscript said conscripts who do well on these assignments are often favoured by their superiors which can potentially lead to a swifter rise up the ranks.
In addition to the standard 10,000 baht a month they receive as an army salary, house conscripts can earn extra tips from their superiors if they deliver a satisfactory household job, the source noted. The source insisted household conscripts are rarely punished physically.
Those caught stealing are sent back to military units where they are disciplined via the appropriate military channels, the source said.
Between two and four conscripts can be allocated to work at a senior officer's house, depending on the boss's rank and the workload, the source noted.
Sometimes, military personnel close to unit commanders have been known to ask privately to get soldiers to work at their houses, but these requests are generally turned down due to the need to maintain an appropriate number of dispatch-ready troops, according to the source.