On 5 April 2024, 27-year-old Thai human rights activist Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal declared his conscientious objection to being conscripted in front of a military conscription centre in Samut Prakarn province. Thailand does not recognise the right to conscientious objection.

I was introduced to Netiwit in May 2021 by Stephen Batchelor. Netiwit had set up Samyan Press and by this point was the author of five books. He had also translated and published works in Thai by Isaiah Berlin, Timothy Snyder, Tony Judt, Rebecca Solnit, Gene Sharp, Noam Chomsky, Liu Xiaobo, Cass Sunstein, Hannah Arendt, Vaclav Havel, Tony Benn and other inspiring minds.

Tuwhiri is collaborating with Netiwit on the publication of a Thai language version of Winton Higgins’s Revamp: Writings on Secular Buddhism. In Thai, the title will be Change, Adjust, Move Buddhism.

In his declaration of conscientious objection, Netiwit said:

Military conscription does not promote equality among citizens but rather enforces a system of varying degrees of oppression. I understand and empathise with many who wish to avoid conscription by seeking education abroad, becoming monks, or finding other exemptions. However, many cannot avoid it and must serve involuntarily.

All Thai citizens should have the equal freedom to choose whether or not to participate in military conscription. No one should be coerced or forced, as it is not beneficial to individuals or the nation.

I could find ways to avoid it like others have done, and I respect their decisions, but publicly refusing to participate may confront the issue head-on, which might be necessary for the improvement of citizens’ freedoms and to ensure a military that respects human rights in this modern era.

Therefore, I declare my act of civil disobedience by not participating in military conscription. I am aware of the legal consequences and [am] apprehensive, but if the results I face lead to a better quality of life for other Thai citizens, I am willing to proceed towards a fairer process.

Recently, he told The Guardian:

There is a lot of unfairness about conscription: those with money find ways to get around it. The higher your level of education, the shorter your term. There’s corruption, too. As a Buddhist, I oppose all forms of violence, but my opposition to the military is also about the danger it poses to all Thai citizens.

Since the 1930s, our elected governments have constantly been overthrown by military coups. The one in 2014 politicised me. I was 18 and I declared publicly that I would be a conscientious objector. Education will solve our conflicts, not brainwashing people into supporting violence.

As a teenager, Netiwit developed a strong interest in the connection between spirituality and political awareness, becoming interested in the writings of engaged Buddhist activist and professor, Sulak Sivaraksa, originator of the concept of ‘Buddhism with a small b’. Netiwit became the youngest editor of Sivaraksa’s magazine Pacharayasala, Great Teacher.

It was on his 18th birthday, a few months after the 2014 military coup, that Netiwit had initially declared himself to be a conscientious objector. Around that time he connected with pro-democracy Hong Kong activist, Joshua Wong, inviting him to Thailand to speak at Chulalongkorn university. Wong was turned back at the airport.

As many young Thai men do, Netiwit ordained as a Buddhist monk in July 2022. When he disrobed in April 2023, though, he was painfully aware that he could well face legal proceedings.

‘In the coming months,’ Netiwit told The Guardian in the article cited above, ‘I expect the police at my door: I’ll be charged, tried and sentenced to up to three years in jail. Some people here are arguing I should also be charged with disturbing the peace of the country, which comes with a punishment of seven to 15 years. I’m terrified. But if nobody stands up and shows they disagree, change will not come.’

He let me know that:

If any Buddhist groups in another country were to support my case, it could be very helpful, beneficial for changing the attitudes of people inside this country. Since being a monk for that period of time was to train my mind to be mindful so I could bear the punishment I might get, if any, I want to call on Buddhist practitioners to support my case and help end the military conscription which is unnecessary and harms many lives since Thailand has not been in a war for decades. It has devastated the livelihood and autonomy of ten thousands of young people. 

How might you help Netiwit, and others in this predicament? You could, for instance, write to the Thai ambassador in your country, letting them know that you support the right of young men and women like Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal to refuse to serve in the Thai military forces. Let us know in the comments what you do.