New Military Service Laws in Cambodia and Thailand

May 12, 2026, 14:10
AsiaPolitics

Introduction

Cambodia has introduced a stricter law for mandatory military service, while Thailand's Constitutional Court has decided that its current draft system is legal.

Main Body

The Cambodian National Assembly, with the full support of 114 members including Prime Minister Hun Manet, has passed a new military service law. This law replaces an old 2006 rule and increases the mandatory service time to two years for men and dual citizens aged 18 to 25. While women can still volunteer, those who avoid service now face tougher penalties, including up to five years in prison during wartime. Clergy and people with disabilities are exempt from these rules. These changes come as Cambodia and Thailand continue to argue over border territories caused by old colonial maps. After violent clashes at the border last year, the Cambodian government stated that increasing military strength is necessary to protect the country. Prime Minister Hun Manet emphasized that a professional army is the only way to ensure peace and defend the nation against threats. At the same time, the Thai court has dealt with challenges to its Military Service Act of 1954. The court ruled that the law, which allows for three years of prison for avoiding the draft, does not violate basic human rights. This decision followed a legal challenge by activist Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal, who wants Thailand to move from a lottery-based system to a voluntary one. Although the court upheld the law, the Thai government mentioned that they might encourage voluntary service by offering better pay and benefits.

Conclusion

Cambodia is increasing its military efforts due to border tensions, whereas Thailand is keeping its current draft laws despite public calls for change.

Learning

⚑ The Power of 'Contrast' (Moving from A2 to B2)

At the A2 level, you usually connect ideas with simple words like but or and. To reach B2, you need to show complex relationships between two different facts.

Look at how this text handles two different countries:

"Cambodia is increasing its military efforts... whereas Thailand is keeping its current draft laws."

πŸ›  The Tool: "Whereas"

Think of whereas as a sophisticated upgrade to but. It doesn't just say "this is different"; it balances two opposite situations in one elegant sentence.

A2 Style (Simple): Cambodia has a new law. But Thailand has an old law.

B2 Style (Professional): Cambodia has introduced a new law, whereas Thailand continues to use its 1954 Act.

πŸ” Spotting Other B2 'Bridge' Logic

Beyond just contrasting, the text uses conditional logic and result-based language. Notice these phrases:

  • "Due to..." β†’\rightarrow (Instead of saying "because of"). It links a cause (border tensions) directly to an effect (military efforts).
  • "Despite..." β†’\rightarrow (Instead of "but"). This is used when something happens even though there is an obstacle.
    • Example: "...keeping its current draft laws despite public calls for change."

πŸ’‘ Pro-Tip for Fluency

If you want to sound like a B2 speaker tomorrow, stop starting every second sentence with But. Try this formula:

[Fact A] + , whereas + [Fact B]

Example: "I love studying grammar, whereas my friend prefers practicing conversation."

Vocabulary Learning

mandatory (adj.)
required by law or rule and not optional
Example:The new law imposes mandatory military service for all eligible men.
exempt (v.)
to be released from an obligation or requirement
Example:Clergy and people with disabilities are exempt from the new service law.
violates (v.)
to break or contravene the rules of a law or agreement
Example:The court ruled that the draft law does not violate basic human rights.
activist (n.)
a person who campaigns for political or social change
Example:Activist Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal challenged the draft system in court.
lottery-based (adj.)
relying on a lottery to decide who is selected
Example:The current Thai draft system is lottery-based, selecting men at random.
voluntary (adj.)
done by one's own choice, not forced
Example:The government wants to shift to a voluntary enlistment system.
encourage (v.)
to give support or motivation to do something
Example:The government may encourage voluntary service by offering better pay.
benefits (n.)
advantages or perks received in exchange for something
Example:Better pay and benefits are offered to attract recruits.
tensions (n.)
conflict or strain between parties
Example:Border tensions have prompted the government to strengthen its army.
clashes (n.)
violent confrontations or fights
Example:Violent clashes at the border last year highlighted the need for security.
professional (adj.)
having specialized training and expertise
Example:A professional army is essential for national defense.
strength (n.)
the quality of being powerful or capable
Example:Increasing military strength is necessary to protect the country.
defend (v.)
to protect from harm or attack
Example:The army must defend the nation against external threats.
colonial (adj.)
relating to the period when a country controls another
Example:Old colonial maps caused disputes over border territories.
dual (adj.)
having two different statuses or affiliations
Example:Dual citizens aged 18 to 25 are required to serve.
penalties (n.)
punishments imposed for breaking a rule
Example:Those who avoid service face tougher penalties, including prison.
prison (n.)
a place where people are kept as punishment for crimes
Example:The draft law allows up to five years in prison for evasion.
wartime (n.)
the period during which a country is at war
Example:Penalties are harsher during wartime.
clergy (n.)
religious leaders such as priests or ministers
Example:Clergy are exempt from mandatory military service.
disabilities (n.)
physical or mental conditions that limit abilities
Example:People with disabilities are exempt from the service law.
pay (n.)
money received for work or service
Example:Higher pay is offered to encourage enlistment.
border (n.)
the line separating two countries
Example:Border disputes have led to increased military readiness.
territory (n.)
land belonging to a country
Example:Border territories are the subject of ongoing negotiations.
service (n.)
the act of working for a government or organization
Example:Military service is compulsory under the new law.
law (n.)
a rule made by a government and enforced by courts
Example:The new law replaced the 2006 rule.
court (n.)
a place where legal disputes are decided
Example:The Constitutional Court ruled on the draft system.
strengthen (v.)
to make stronger or more powerful
Example:The government must strengthen its army to ensure security.
protect (v.)
to keep safe from danger
Example:Military strength is necessary to protect the country.
nation (n.)
a country or state
Example:Hun Manet emphasized that a professional army is the only way to ensure peace and defend the nation.
threats (n.)
dangerous or harmful situations
Example:The army must defend against external threats.
challenge (n.)
an objection or test of something
Example:The Thai court dealt with challenges to its draft system.
human rights (n.)
basic rights and freedoms that all people should have
Example:The law does not violate basic human rights.
government (n.)
the group of people who run a country
Example:The government may encourage voluntary service.
public (adj.)
relating to the people as a whole
Example:Public calls for change have been made.
calls (n.)
requests or demands
Example:Public calls for change are common.
change (n.)
a difference or alteration from previous state
Example:The draft law represents a change in policy.
increase (v.)
to make larger or greater
Example:The law increases mandatory service time to two years.