Students who enrol in the army reserve force while at school might no longer be exempt from the military draft.
Prayuth: ‘Territorials must play bigger role’
A shortfall in recruits through the normal conscription process has prompted the army to contemplate removing the exemption which applies to students who undergo territorial defence training (widely known as Ror Dor), army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said yesterday.
He said many students enter the territorial defence training programme offered by the Army Reserve Command because they want to avoid conscription. Thai men who turn 21 have to submit their names to a conscription draw. However, army reserve students are usually exempt.
Gen Prayuth was speaking during a function to mark the 65th anniversary of the Army Reserve Command.
He said he will propose that regulations governing the army's reserve force be amended to require territorial defence training students to go through the annual military conscription process too.
But if they are drafted, they may spend less time in military service, he said.
Gen Prayuth said an increase in reserve force cadets being recruited would mean fewer conscripts would need to be drawn from ordinary civilians for military service.
The army needs around 80,000 fresh recruits a year, he said.
Gen Prayuth said the government's policy for the military to increase the number of territorial defence students each year will affect the army's military reserve.
The army chief said the defence training programme needs regular improvements to respond to new threats to national security, such as drugs problems.
He stressed the need for territorial defence students to play a greater role in supporting military operations.As for the new policy allowing high school students to have longer hair, Gen Prayuth insisted military students are still required to follow the rules set by the army.
"When an individual wears an army uniform he should be neatly trimmed and shaved and have an appropriate appearance," the army chief said.
He also urged business operators to allow their employees to join the territorial defence programme and pay for the costs involved.
The army will ensure they receive tax deductions for the expenses, he said.
Gen Prayuth also praised female students who voluntarily apply for the territorial defence training programme even if they do not receive any special privileges.
"Thai women are great and strong," he said.