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Transgender Thai citizens fear Army draft
While Thailand is seen as a progressive country and safe space for those who identify as part of the LGBT community, many still have reported discrimination, and the mandatory army draft for those assigned male at birth is no exception.
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While Thailand is seen as a progressive country and safe space for those who identify as part of the LGBT community, many still have reported discrimination, and the mandatory army draft for those assigned male at birth is no exception. (Shutterstock/File)
A
s they do every April, military officers call names to decide the military draft, and as they do, a group of young transgender women sit together, waiting to hear their names.
While Thailand is seen as a progressive country and safe space for those who identify as part of the LGBT community, many still have reported discrimination, and the mandatory army draft for those assigned male at birth is no exception.
"I was born male, so I must be here, as duty calls," Kanphitcha Sungsuk told Reuters.
The mandatory army draft occurs every April, and includes every 21-year-old Thai man, who “must either volunteer to serve for six months or take their chances in a lottery, where a choice of black ticket lets them go home but a red ticket means they must serve for two years", reported Reuters.
Read also: Boy Scouts will allow transgender children into programs
Exemptions are made for those with disabilities, and trans women, but only if they can “prove it” to a doctor, who will see if they have undergone a sex change. Those who cannot provide physical or paper evidence of "gender identity disorder” must continue to be part of the draft.
Executive director of the Thai Transgender Alliance for Human Rights, Jetsada Taesombat, explained that ”most are stressed and worried that they will be undressed, stared at, or humiliated in public.” Taesombat continued, “some are so stressed out they want to commit suicide to avoid conscription.”
"Society looks on and thinks we are accepted, but it's actually not so," said Khwan Suphalak, 23, mentioning that hotels have denied her entry over her gender identity. "We're always treated differently." (sul/kes)
