The Thai military is facing increasing pressure to change its conscription system to a voluntary one.
The demand for change has become animated after several gaffes angered the public. The latest involves a recruitment officer who ordered the mother of a bedridden actor to bring her son to a conscription draw venue in Lamphun without thinking about the anguish it would add to the family.
Photos of the actor arriving in an ambulance at the draw site triggered public criticism, which forced the Third Region Army to apologise to the family, albeit belatedly.
Another incident saw activist-turned-monk Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal, or Phra Netiwit Jaranasampanno, facing a lawsuit for not appearing at the draw in his hometown of Samut Prakan.
The monk said he could not make the draw as he had to complete an exam. He plans to leave the monkhood later this month. This activist, who was ordained last July, staunchly denied suspicions that he entered monkhood as a way to avoid conscription.
But Netiwit has opposed conscription, describing it as a human rights violation and will face the courts with this as his defence.
There are no clear rules about the monkhood and conscription, and the lawsuit may backfire on the armed forces.
Regardless of his agenda, it serves no use to force a monk to disrobe and serve the military.
According to media reports, the number of conscripts for the three armed forces and related agencies typically ranges between 80,000 and 100,000 annually, which is a drag on the national budget and the country's economy.
On an individual basis, conscription and the resulting two years in service interrupt a man's career.
But the crux of the problem is that the system is riddled with scandals.
It's an open secret that the mandatory system allows some officers to make a fortune, as some well-to-do families do not want their sons to take the draw and offer under-the-table money to ensure that doesn't happen.
There are also other cases of system abuse. Some conscripts have to serve their commanders' families, while physical abuse is sometimes reported, with some resulting in serious injuries or even deaths.
The military seems aware of the public sentiment against the mandatory system. In 2021, it launched a voluntary programme that was a success. In some areas, the number of applicants surpassed demand.
Given that, the armed forces should accelerate such a process that welcomes only those willing to enlist. To ensure quotas are met, incentives can be created to attract the right type of volunteers.
More importantly, if the army makes itself more efficient and honourable, more young men would be interested in joining and serving.
The abolition of conscription is one of many military reforms needed for it to best defend the country. There is no reason for the top brass to drag their feet.
