Young Men in Thailand Drawn to Military Amid Economic Malaise

A man tries on a military outfit in Bangkok on April 7.

Photographer: Chanakarn Laosarakham /AFP/Getty Images

Across much of the world, young people are turning away from military service. In Thailand, they’re lining up.

Voluntary enlistment in the Southeast Asian nation has climbed steadily over the past five years, so much so that in some districts, annual conscription quotas, which happen in April, are being filled from ranks of willing men alone.