The Ministry of Defence has lowered the height requirement for young volunteers in its online recruitment drive for military service in 2023, to give "shorties" the chance of also serving the country, deputy army spokeswoman Sirichan Ngathong said on Tuesday.
The minimum height for recruitment has been dropped from 159 centimetres to only 146cm.
She said the recruitment of "online soldiers" is part of the ministry's policy begun in 2021 to replace the annual military draft with volunteer soldiers.
Since the policy was introduced, more young men have applied to join the Royal Thai Armed Forces Command, the Royal Thai Air Force and the Royal Thai Army.
In 2023, the army will accept 28,642 recruits from online applications, which is more than the current year.
Online volunteer applications began on Aug 29 and remain open for five months, until Jan 29, 2023. Applicants must be Thai men aged 18-20 years (born 2003-2005) who have not been through the draft, or men aged 22-29 (born 1994-2001) who went through the draft process but were not conscripted (they drew a black card).
Young men who are in the care of the Department of Juvenile Observation and Protection can apply as a special case to enter service in the first batch from May 1, ahead of the regular draft in April 2023.
Col Sirichan said the required minimum height of applicants will be reduced from 159cm to 146cm, to give shorter men the opportunity to serve. Applicants can select which unit they want to serve in, choosing from the army's 510 units throughout the country, two units of the Royal Thai Armed Forces Command and one unit under the air force.
Applications can be submitted online via the website rcm66.rta.mi.th around the clock. Applicants can also apply in person at an army unit near their home.
After applying, they will go through two steps. Step 1 involves verification of documents and physical measurements at an army unit near their home. Step 2 is a medical examination at any of 35 army area headquarters.
After completing two years of service, they will be eligible to apply to study in the army's training school for non-commissioned officers, which takes about 2,000 applicants per year. After completing training they can take an exam to serve in an army unit of their choice, with the right to receive all benefits paid to regular soldiers, including a monthly allowance starting at 10,000 baht, free medical care, occupational training and days off on Saturday and Sunday.