Rival parties outline conscription plans

The People’s Party (PP) and the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) have placed military conscription reform at the forefront of their policy platforms, but while both emphasise voluntary service, their proposals differ in clarity, implementation and scale.

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BJT leader Anutin Charnvirakul earlier announced that his party would “end the conscription mindset” by transforming compulsory enlistment into a fully voluntary system.

Under the plan, BJT says it will recruit 100,000 volunteer soldiers on four-year contracts with monthly pay of 12,000 baht, believing that the move will ensure the armed forces are staffed by motivated personnel committed to defending the nation.