Srichaphan ready to serve in Army fatigues

Davis Cup organisers said Paradorn would report to the recruiting office tomorrow before attending a press conference held ahead of Thailand’s clash against Uzebekistan this week. “He asked to postpone the press conference slightly as he has to go for recruitment during the day,” said an official.

As per the draft all Thai men must report for national service before turning 26. If they voluntered to serve, they would spend six months in the military but if they opted to take part in a draw, as Paradorn had, they must serve one year.

Many secured exemptions as the draft was filled by a quota and there were often enough volunteers to fill all the available spaces. The remaining were chosen by ballot, official said. Teachers and other civil servants were exempt from national service, but they must spend at least 18 hours a week in the classroom to qualify.

The Thai press often wondered if the 24-year-old Paradorn spent that much time at the privately-owned primary school on the outskirts of Bangkok where he claimed to be working as a physical education teacher. An Army official said that this year they needed only 80,000 recruits and that 500,000 were expected to report for the draft.