A video of a 23-year-old Bangkok man collapsing in tears after he drew a red card in the military draft lottery, has received national attention this week. The main provider for his family, Sakrit Srisoonthorn reportedly told soldiers at the draft lottery that he cried because was worried about his 75-year-old sick grandma.
This viral video was taken by a soldier who uploaded it to Facebook on Wednesday. It has been watched nearly 4 million times.
“Why does it have to be me? Why not the others who don’t have any burden?” Saksit said, according to the soldier who uploaded the video.
“My parents left me when I was young. If I leave, who will take care of my grandma who just got out of the hospital? She asked me not to leave her. She had no one but me.”
Every April, Thai men who turn 21 must take their chances in the lottery or volunteer to serve for a shorter amount of time. The length of time served depends on their level of education.
Sakrit, who postponed the lottery draw for two years, has a degree from a technical college, so he’s subjected to serve for two years, starting in November.
Yesterday, the military and reporters visited Sakrit’s home in Bangkok, when the young man told the officials, “At that moment, I just thought, how will my grandma live? How will my family live if I have to go away. That was going through my head.”
The officials assured that the military will check on his family and be ready to offer help.
His grandmother, Somsong Chamnanwech, told reporters at her home, “He [Sakrit] is a good kid. He always works. He accepts all jobs offered to him.”
She said with tears in her eyes, “I’ll get over it. It’s not that long…only 1-2 years. It’s not like he’s leaving me forever. I told him to go serve in the military and help the country. I’ll be fine. I’ll sell things and feed myself.”
“I told him, ‘Honey, just be good and you will be out soon.”
Sakrit said that he has accepted the outcome and will serve in the military, and officers have
informed him that he will receive a salary, which he intends to send back to his family.
Military spokesman Col. Winthai Suvaree said in an online statement on Wednesday that every soldier is under the care of their commander in every aspect, “The army treats all soldiers like family, so their family is ours too.”
The statement said that Sakrit may be permitted to take leave to take care of his family if necessary.
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