Academics and human rights defenders have expressed mixed responses to calls to scrap compulsory military service, which is gaining national attention in the lead-up to the May 14 polls.
The Move Forward Party and the Pheu Thai Party have pledged to end it in favour of voluntary enlistment if they take office as part of the next government.
They suggested the Defence Ministry lower the number of young men they need under the system. Thai men aged 21 can be drafted into military service for up to two years.
People have started to have negative thoughts towards military…
