Lt Gen Taweepool Rimsakorn, commanding general of the Territorial Defence Command (TDC), on Friday said further investigations will be conducted into claims that Move Forward Party (MFP) MP Jirat Thongsuwan evaded mandatory military conscription.
Lt Gen Taweepool said the TDC found no stub in an original Sor Dor 43 document or a conscription certificate kept in its archive that matches the paper shown to the media by Mr Jirat.
He said that the TDC would expand its investigations into who issued Mr Jirat's document, adding that the MP must send the original document to the TDC for the sake of the investigation.
People without disabilities who undergo military listing should have a Sor Dor 43 certificate signed by five officers with their fingerprints on it, Lt Gen Taweepool said.
Jirat: Military checking documents
The TDC will also look into the service exemption data of MFP MP Suphanat Meenchainan, who was accused on Feb 1 of not participating in the draft by the website "Wannee Kaoklai Kohok Arai" (What Is the Move Forward Party Lying About Today?).
Lt Gen Taweepool said the investigations are not a political matter or an attempt to discredit the party. He said that the TDC is only conducting a legal investigation as per the related regulations.
Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, a party-list MP of the MFP and chairman of the House committee on military affairs, said on Friday that some military recruiting officers are allegedly involved in selling Sor Dor 43 certificates, which is illegal.
Mr Wiroj said those recruiting officers reportedly sold authentic certificates to people wanting to avoid military conscription.
He said an investigation regarding this claim is underway, and legal action will be taken if warranted.
Mr Wiroj added that he also discussed the issue with Defence Minister Sutin Klungsaeng on Friday.
