Gays in the military (part 3, final)

South Korea-based Thai singer Bam Bam reports for conscription

A trainer who puts conscripts through their paces says that on the whole, gays fare well.

'If we say train, you train. But you must exercise endurance. The military can fix the problem by refusing to accept the most extreme types, such as those who come dressed as women. But if they have a normal male body, we must put them through the system.

'On the whole, the new arrivals do not show that they are gay. But after training, in some cases it just slips out. That's to be expected. But this group is well behaved. Only in a few cases do they try to make trouble.'

The Manager article ends on a positive note. It says those who can put up with conscription are to be commended. While some may think that gays cannot endure such an ordeal, the record shows that plenty pass through the system with their sanity and self-respect intact.

'This group behaves differently from the norm, to be sure. But they are able and only too happy to adjust and adapt their behaviour so they fit in with 'real' men.

'They carry out every Thai man's duty under law - to serve the King as conscripts - with dignity. They may stand out a little, but they are still able to get along with the group. And to a man, they give the same advice to new entrants: Don't make people think that we're a burden on society!