YANGON: Over 1,000 people gathered at the Thai embassy in Yangon on Friday, seeking to depart Myanmar following the junta’s announcement of mandatory military service.
Last weekend, the military declared its intention to enforce a law compelling all men aged 18-35 and women aged 18-27 to serve for a minimum of two years, amidst ongoing resistance to the 2021 coup.
The junta, facing widespread armed opposition since seizing power from the elected civilian government, has witnessed recent defeats against an alliance of ethnic minority groups. Since the announcement of the “People’s Military Service Law,” the Thai embassy in Yangon has been swamped with young men and women seeking visas to leave Myanmar.
An estimated queue of 1,000 to 2,000 people was observed by a western journalist near the embassy, a stark increase from the numbers prior to the announcement. To manage the influx, the embassy is issuing 400 numbered tickets daily. Aung Phyo, a 20-year-old student, described his overnight wait and dash to secure a spot in line, reflecting the anxiety among many seeking to leave.
Many people opting to leave the country
With uncertainties surrounding the enforcement of the law and its implications, many people are opting to leave the country rather than risk conscription. Kaung Kaung, 22, described the rush for visas and the pervasive sense of urgency among those in line. The lack of clarity regarding the military service scheme has amplified fears and led some to consider joining anti-coup People’s Defence Force (PDF) groups.
War War, a 20-year-old student, expressed the widespread apprehension among her peers, noting the loss of dreams and increased fear prompted by the new law. Zaw Myo, 25, highlighted the detrimental impact of the law on the country’s already struggling economy, fearing a loss of workforce if young people choose to leave.
Junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun defended the military service system as necessary given the current situation, citing the challenges posed by both PDFs and armed ethnic minority groups. Despite the potential pool of 13 million eligible individuals, the military’s capacity to train recruits is severely limited.
Richard Horsey of the International Crisis Group characterized the call-up announcement as indicative of the army’s dire state, citing high casualties, recruitment challenges, and a crisis of confidence. The crackdown on dissent since the 2021 coup has resulted in thousands of deaths and tens of thousands of arrests, according to local monitoring groups.
