Conscription Lottery
Discover how military conscription works in Thailand! In this lesson, you’ll learn who has to report for the draft, how deferment works, and how volunteering, education level and school military training can shorten time in service. You’ll also hear about the famous black and red card draw, the hopes and superstitions on draft day, how the Thai armed forces and government are organised, and the slang expression เรดาร์พัง (ree-daa pang) – “broken radar”.
Thai Vocabulary:
เกณฑ์ทหาร (gen thá-hǎan) – Military conscription
จับใบดำใบแดง (jàp bai dam bai daeng) – Draw the black or red card
ผ่อนผัน (pɔ̀n-pǎn) – To defer / postpone
รับราชการ (ráp râat-chá-gaan) – To serve in government
บริบูรณ์ (bɔɔ-rí-buun) – Complete / full (e.g. full age)
Learning about Thai culture in natural Thai helps you understand both the language and the people who speak it!