Thai transgender women pose with certificates that exempt them from national service

Thousands of transgender women proudly exempted themselves from military service in Thailand today, after being forced to attend conscription events for the nation’s army despite not identifying as men.

Thailand requires every man aged 21 or over to attend a ‘lottery’ day where they must enlist in the military for a two-year stint, before being recruited at random.

Transgender women – who still have male birth certificates – are legally required to attend the events to show medical certificates proving their new gender, which excuses them from service as trans women are not allowed in the Thai army. 

Glamorous beauty queen Narisara Aonwang, 23, arrived at the facility in Phitsanulok province with documents proving that she had undergone a sex change.

But she insisted: ‘I am not afraid of doing national service but the Thai army still discriminates against women like me. Straight women are allowed to enrol in military service. 

Thousands of transgender women (pictured) proudly exempted themselves from military service in Thailand today, after being forced to attend conscription events for the nation’s army despite not identifying as men

Thailand requires every man aged 21 or over to attend a ‘lottery’ day where they must enlist in the military for a two-year stint, before being recruited at random

Transgender women – who still have male birth certificates – are legally required to attend the events to show medical certificates proving their new gender

‘I think we should have the same rights as other straight women. If they finally allow us to draft I will be the first one who applies for it.’

Aside from her beauty titles and awards, she also brought her certificate indicating that she was still studying a degree in Education at the Sukhothai College.

Narisara had been showing up at the annual event for three years now to prove her gender as she is expected to do this until she turns 26-years-old. 

This excuses them from service as transgender women (above) are not allowed in the Thai military service

Glamorous beauty queen Narisara Aonwang, 23, arrived at the facility in Phitsanulok province with documents proving that she had undergone a sex change. Pictured, two women posing with their exemption forms

The events, which see men and transgender women line up for hours to find out their fate, will be held around the country until April 9

The events, which see men and transgender women line up for hours to find out their fate, will be held around the country until April 9. 

In Phitsanulok province on the first day, 284 youngsters came forward but only 67 were successfully drafted into the army. Parents whose children were exempted cheered outside the centre.

Around eight per cent of the country’s population are believed to be in the LGBTQ demographic but Thai laws still impose restrictions on their rights.

In Phitsanulok province on the first day, 284 youngsters came forward but only 67 were successfully drafted into the army. Parents whose children were exempted cheered outside the centre

Around eight per cent of the country’s population are believed to be in the LGBTQ demographic but Thai laws still impose restrictions on their rights

Aside from not being able to join the army, the community also doesn’t receive the same marriage benefits as straight couples although they are allowed to wed

Thai males have the option to study the military for three years in secondary school or attend the national service recruitment, where draws are made to choose who is selected

Aside from not being able to join the army, the community also doesn’t receive the same marriage benefits as straight couples although they are allowed to wed.

Thailand’s military includes the Army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force and has around 300,000 state employees. 

Thai males have the option to study the military for three years in secondary school or attend the national service recruitment, where draws are made to choose who is selected. 

College and university graduates can also have shorter one-year stints in the military if they volunteer. Some young men also volunteer for the national service because they want to join the army.