Border wars, rising costs or a marital reprieve: why are Thai men racing to enlist in the Army?

Nearly 50,000 men volunteered to enlist this year, according to the Royal Thai Army, a 22% increase compared with 2025 “Bored of your wife? This April, come and enlist in the military,” says a recent online post from the Thai military, ditching its traditional, stuffy tone for online memes ahead of the recent annual draft season. It is not known how effective the campaign has been, but nearly 50,000 men volunteered to enlist this year, according to the Royal Thai Army, a 22% increase compared...

By Rebecca Ratcliffe