"Which Beauty Will Come Today?"... This Country's Conscription Examination Center Surprises Even Abroad

Thailand Conducts Lottery-Based Conscription for Over 40,000 This Month
Transgender Individuals Can Apply for Exemption After Submitting Certification

Recently, two famous transgender women simultaneously appeared at a conscription examination center in Thailand, attracting attention. On the 21st, Hong Kong's South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported, "Transgender women with goddess-level beauty appeared for conscription, drawing the attention of examinees, and discussions about their appearance have caused a stir on social networking services (SNS)."

[Image source=Kantong Instagram capture]

They are Thailand's well-known transgender individuals Parida Kerayupan (21) and Kantong Phasaraaphon (21), who recently appeared at the conscription examination center in the Kaset Wisai district of north-central Thailand. It is reported that they submitted proof of gender reassignment surgery to apply for military exemption. Parida serves as an ambassador at Spipatum University in Bangkok and has over 70,000 SNS followers. Kantong has participated in over 100 beauty pageants and has won titles. Fans call her the "Taipei Angel."

As videos of them spread, reactions such as "It looks like a beauty pageant" have followed. Controversial responses also emerged, including "I don't know if this is a conscription center or a beauty pageant," and "I feel inferior as a woman."

Thailand conducted conscription from the 1st to the 12th of this month. After recruiting volunteers, only regions with insufficient numbers hold a lottery-style conscription. Those who fail to appear for conscription can face up to three years in prison. The target group is men aged 21 and over, and a lottery is held for those who pass the physical examination. A red card indicates active duty, and a black card means exemption. Transgender individuals can bring relevant medical certificates and visit the examination center in person to apply for military exemption.

The military service period is usually six months for volunteers, and two years for active duty soldiers selected through the lottery. Those who have completed a three-year reserve officer training program in high school, monks with a high level of Buddhist education, and people with disabilities may be exempt from military service. Earlier, the Thai Ministry of Defense announced that out of the 85,000 recruits needed this year, 40,000 will be recruited through a lottery system.