Young men are forced to take part in conscript lottery, but the rich often avoid serving in armyEvery April in Thailand young men take part in a lottery to determine whether they will be forced to do military service. Pull out a red card and you are drafted for up to two years. A black card means you are exempt.When it was Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal’s turn to draw a card this month, he refused, making a rare protest as a conscientious objector. If prosecuted, it is believed he could become the first person in Thailand to be imprisoned for avoiding the draft through civil disobedience. The offence carries a maximum sentence of three years. Continue reading…
Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/21/thai-conscientious-objector-risks-jail-in-rare-refusal-of-military-service
Author : Rebecca Ratcliffe
Publish date : 2024-04-21 06:00:46
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