Activist-turned-monk Phra Netiwit Jaranasampanno will be questioned about his failure to report for military conscription, which could lead to a court trial or compulsory drafting, according to the army.
Maj Gen Sirichan Ngathong, deputy army spokeswoman, yesterday said the army will treat Phra Netiwit like any other man who has failed to show up for mandatory conscription.
This month, his district office will call him in for questions regarding his failure to join the process.
If the district finds there was nothing preventing him from reporting, the matter will be referred to the police for legal action, which could end in a court trial, she said.
If he is found to be evading conscription and passes a physical exam, he will automatically be drafted next year, she said.
Phra Netiwit, 27, had exhausted his right to postpone conscription over the years and was required to participate in a draw in Samut Prakan province on Sunday, she said.
However, he failed to do so, and a hand-written letter posted on the internet on Sunday listed a number of reasons why he was absent, including his opposition to forced conscription.
The former student activist entered the monkhood in July.
The saga comes as some political parties on the campaign trail are calling for the abolition of the kingdom’s conscription system.