Two Young Men Exempted From Military Conscription After Officials Found Measurement Error
Two young men were exempted from mandatory military service in Songkhla after officials discovered measurement errors of 1-2 centimeters in their chest sizes during re-examination by a provincial committee.
Two young men have been exempted from mandatory military service after appealing for fair treatment over inaccurate body measurements with errors of 1-2 centimeters. A committee voted to prevent their conscription.
On May 7, 2026, a Songkhla provincial reporter noted that three excess military conscripts submitted appeals to the senior committee for 2569. The first, Mr. Saranun (surname withheld), passed physical examination from Committee 1, measured at 172 centimeters tall with chest measurement of 77/80 centimeters, and drew a red lot (Army Unit 4/69). However, Mr. Saranun argued the chest measurement was inaccurate, claiming his own measurement showed 75/78 centimeters, below the required standard.
The second, Mr. Phalakorn (surname withheld), passed examination from Committee 3, measuring 168 centimeters tall with 76/79 centimeters chest measurement, and drew a red lot (Navy Unit 3/69). He filed a similar appeal stating his chest measurement was 75/78 centimeters, below the required standard.
The third, Mr. Muhammad Rizzuan (surname withheld), passed examination from Committee 4, measuring 167 centimeters tall with 82/85 centimeters chest measurement, and drew a red lot (Navy Unit 2/69). He appealed based on having a chronic condition of depression, which he argued could hinder military service.
At a recent meeting of the Songkhla Provincial Internal Security Command, Songkhla Governor Ratthaphun Chidchoo assigned Deputy Governor Sangkhom Koetko to chair the hearing on appeals regarding the conscript selection process for 2569. The meeting included Brigadier General Yutthapong Visetsak, Songkhla Provincial Commander, and Chatkrit Tinchart, prosecutor at the Office of Attorney General.
During the meeting, proper measurement procedures were emphasized: conscripts must stand straight with heels together, the measuring tape placed horizontally at chest level, with measurements taken at full exhalation and full inhalation. Decimal points and fractions must be dropped entirely (for example, 75.9 centimeters counts as 75 centimeters). Measurements cannot be taken with arms spread, fingers inserted into the tape, or above or below chest level.
Following a re-measurement before the senior committee, both the first and second applicants' chest measurements were confirmed at 75/78 centimeters, which does not meet the required standard since exhalation measurements did not reach 76 centimeters. The committee voted to exempt both from conscription.
The third applicant is currently undergoing additional medical consultation from Songkhla Hospital before his case is presented to the senior committee for further consideration.
