The Army follows a policy reforming its personnel system to a voluntary model by opening recruitment for volunteer soldiers in 2027 with 18,784 positions for 4-year service. Applicants can select their rotation and unit nationwide, with benefits and opportunities to advance to a professional soldier career.
On 5 September 2026, the Army invites Thai men aged 18 to 26 who are interested in a military career and supporting the Army’s missions to apply for conscription as "volunteer soldiers" in 2027 with 18,784 positions. This is a new personnel recruitment system replacing the “online conscript” project under the Ministry of Defence policy. Applicants can choose their rotation and desired military units nationwide, totaling 221 units.
A "volunteer soldier" is a conscript who voluntarily signs a 4-year contract to serve. They receive the same training and duties as regular conscripts but gain benefits under this project, including a starting salary of 12,090 baht per month plus a special allowance of 2,880 baht per month for food or sustenance.
Additionally, those who serve as volunteer soldiers for 2 years or more receive a quota to take the entrance exam for the Army Non-Commissioned Officer School within the conscript quota, which reserves 80% of all NCO student admissions. This is equivalent to 30% of the quota or 453 positions. They also receive an initial 5% bonus on academic scores when taking exams to become Army civil servants. This enhances income stability and opens career advancement opportunities for volunteer soldiers, alongside other benefits such as vocational training and part-time education that can raise their qualifications during service.
Recruitment is open to Thai men without education restrictions across several categories: conscripts aged 18–20 (born 2007–2009), conscripts aged 22–26 (born 2001–2005) who passed selection but were not conscripted (black lottery or unit quota filled), type 1 reserve soldiers discharged from active duty and aged no more than 26 in 2027, and active soldiers scheduled for discharge on 1 May or 1 November 2027 who will be no older than 26 in 2027 and must transfer to reserves before contracting as volunteer soldiers.
Interested individuals can study further details and apply online athttp://rcm.rta.mi.thor apply in person at any of the 221 Army units open for recruitment, as well as district and provincial recruitment offices, from 10 September 2026 to 24 January 2027.
The Army is committed to implementing the Ministry of Defence’s policy to reform personnel systems toward a voluntary model, providing opportunities for Thai men interested in military service to support security missions. It aims to comprehensively care for and promote opportunities, as well as develop welfare and benefits to align with current conditions.