Across much of the world, young people are turning away from military service. In Thailand, they¡¯re lining up.
Voluntary enlistment in the Southeast Asian nation has climbed steadily over the past five years, so much so that in some districts, annual conscription quotas, which happen in April, are being filled from ranks of willing men alone.
It¡¯s somewhat paradoxical, considering the recent, lethal border clashes with Cambodia have made clear that military service is no longer a distant abstraction. Around 40 Thai soldiers have been killed in skirmishes along Thailand¡¯s northeastern boundary with its neighbor, primarily during escalations in 2025.
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