In a surprising turn of events, two popular Thai transgender personalities and beauty queens in Thailand recently captured widespread attention when they showed up at a military recruitment center for the country’s annual conscription lottery. Parida Kerayuphan and Kantong Passarapon, both 21, made headlines as they registered for military service despite their intentions to apply for exemptions.
According to Thailand’s 1954 Military Service Act, all Thai men are required to serve in the military at the age of 21, with a possible two-year service term if selected. In cases where the number of registrants exceeds available slots, a lottery system is used. Eligible recruits pick cards from opaque boxes on conscription day to determine their fate. Drawing a red card means enlistment for two years, while a black card allows the individual to go home.
Although transgender individuals in Thailand can apply for military service exemptions by providing relevant medical certificates, they are still required to report to the conscription unit. Failure to report can result in a punishment of up to three years in jail. Despite both Kerayuphan and Passarapon rejecting military service, their presence at the recruitment center was mandatory.
Thai Beauty Queens
The duo’s appearance at the recruitment center in Kaset Wisai district drew significant attention, both online and offline. Dubbed the “Thai Bay Angel,” Passarapon has participated in around 100 beauty pageants, earning numerous championship titles. Kerayuphan, a student at Sripatum University in Bangkok and a campus ambassador, boasts 69,000 followers on Instagram. Their striking looks and high profiles sparked a heated discussion on social media.
In their respective social media posts, fans praised the two beauty queens for their courage and applauded their adherence to the conscription requirements. Some social media users likened the scene at the recruitment center to a beauty pageant rather than a military draft site. “It feels like a beauty pageant rather than a conscription lottery site,” one observer commented on Instagram. Another remarked, “As a woman, I have a feeling of inferiority.”
A spokesman for Thailand’s Ministry of Defence revealed that this year’s draft aimed to fill 85,000 places, with 40,000 of those recruited via lottery. Thai men typically receive conscription information at the age of 17 and are required to respond. If unwilling to serve, they must join the lottery held every April. Legal exemptions are possible for those who complete a three-year reserve officer training program in high school, as well as for disabled individuals and monks with advanced Buddhist education.
Ultimately, both Kerayuphan and Passarapon are expected to be granted exemptions from military service. Their story underscores the complexities and unique cultural aspects of military conscription in Thailand, as well as the ongoing visibility and challenges faced by transgender individuals in the country.
