"Make sure you join" (in Thailand)
This was the recruitment slogan that led me to join the Dutch Royal Navy in the early XNUMXs. I served six years, I thought that was enough. Those six years in an important period of my life left a positive mark on my life forever.
Now, 50 years later, I often think of that period and everything that is said, written or shown about the Navy still interests me. Fortunately, I can occasionally talk about it myself with my old service comrade and now also blog writer Hans. In addition, my now very good friend Rob, still employed as a sergeant, regularly comes to Pattaya.
With Rob I can enjoy our service profession, the liaison service. The radio operator profession (and with it Morse messages) no longer exists, but Rob has all experienced the transition from the “old” profession to the new one, where everything is arranged via computers and satellites. A true liaison officer who will soon be given a position at NATO headquarters in Belgium.
Sorry, I digress because I didn't want to talk about that at all. This story is about my son Lukin. He is now 14 years old, an excellent student (what father doesn't say that?) and has expressed his desire to join the Royal Thai Navy for some time. Not as a sailor first class like me, not as a petty officer like Rob, but as a real officer. Like this!
Through his school and a father of one of his school friends, who works as a senior officer in Sattahip, there have already been some exploratory talks. To be honest, it goes a bit past me because everything happens in the Thai language of course. I thought it necessary to look up my own light on the internet to see what the route to becoming an officer looks like. Wikipedia has a page dedicated to it, which actually contains the text that the Royal Thai Naval Academy posted on Facebook. The Academy's website does not work, so for now I have to make do with the summary information on Wikipedia/Facebook.
Young Thais who want to study at the Academy will first have to take an entrance exam. This is followed by a 3-year course at the Armed Forces Preparatory School in Korat for cadets from the Navy, Army, Air Force and Police. If that training is successful, the naval cadet will go to the Royal Thai Naval Academy in Samut Prakan with a subsequent year in Sattahip. If all goes according to plan, the cadet is promoted to “Ensign” (sub-lieutenant). This promotion is accompanied by the officer's sword, which is handed over personally by the King. His career with the Royal Thai Navy can begin.
Unfortunately, I am missing information such as which requirements must be met to take the entrance exam and at what age. I am also curious what the costs will be and whether it is important that his mother has a long-term relationship (not married) with a foreigner (me). Admittedly from a friendly nation, but still!
We will all find out, but I would appreciate it if there are blog readers who, through their own experience or that of others, could tell me more.
It is a great development, I am proud that he has chosen the Navy for the time being.
'Make sure you join', but also 'Join the navy and see the world' were the slogans that also brought me to the Royal Navy in the early sixties as a 16-year-old. Six years and six months in, as you rightly say, an important phase of life, have also had a very positive influence on the rest of my existence for me. I can therefore imagine the paternal pride in his choice, which will in any case form a good basis for his further life.
My Thai wife's son is also 14 years old and wants to join the Thai army. I would also like to be kept informed on this subject. What are the conditions and requirements to start the training and how high are the (annual) costs?
It is remarkable that apparently quite a few ex-navy people eventually decided to settle in Thailand.
I too worked for six years – from 1961 – 1967 – as a telegrapher and vob'er (aircraft submarine fighter) in the Royal Netherlands Navy.
Unfortunately, my son has not contracted a marine virus, he doesn't feel anything for it.
But after all, it is his life, so also his choice(s).
I too can only say that I still look back with pleasure on that period in my young years.
That has also been my period of service, “erkuda” means nothing to me, please contact me by E-mail, [email protected]
Ha ha Hans, nice reaction, a bit negative, but I know your history, so understandable. Yet you yourself say that you have learned and seen a lot in those 6 years and that is how I experience it too.
By the way, Lukin has not been infected with the marine virus by me, because I do show him pictures, but I have never advised him to join the navy.
He can indeed choose any other profession from me, as long as he does not become a journalist!.
Hello Albert/Hans,
Nice to hear that Lukin is choosing this direction.
Of course you can be proud of him, but you were anyway.
The culture in the Thai navy will certainly differ from our current navy here in the Netherlands.
The “drill side” and super-hierarchy no longer rules here in our Armed Forces and in particular the Royal Navy, while that will still be the case in the Thai navy.
At a young age, especially in the 60s, joining the navy does change your life.
Generally in a positive sense.
Whether you are still serving it after 6 years, 10 years or like me after 28 years does not matter.
I therefore do not share Hans' opinion. You learn independence and critical thinking in the navy.
At a young age, far from mother's bed, having to take care of yourself and standing up makes you stronger.
And yes, that hat doesn't fit everyone.
After all, you also learn a “real” trade at the navy. Doctors, teachers, technicians, etc. are also walking around there. To be honest, I have to admit that I haven't come across a fashion designer yet.
Of course, since I started working 28 years ago, I have had to miss a lot. Birthdays, some family/friend weddings.
I don't think I can beat what I got in return.
As long as Lukin makes his own choices and is happy with them.
greetings from a sunny Den Helder (soon to be NATO HQ Belgium).
It doesn't really surprise me that you come up with such an unrealistic reaction after so many years in Thailand, but I do think it's a pity. Think about this: Lukin comes from a poverty-stricken family from an even poorer village in Isan. Survival has been their motto all their lives, not knowing how to get money (because no work) to be able to eat again tomorrow. Read my story “Girl from the Isaan” again.
Because of me, the family has risen a few steps on the social ladder, both financially and socially. My doing, yes, I am proud of that, but don't beat myself up for it. I have also received a lot of satisfaction and happiness in life. Lukin can now get a decent education, something that would have been impossible in the village. Perhaps there is a future for him in a career in the Thai Navy. And I have to tell him from you now that he has to think critically, orient himself socially broadly, absorb culture and dare to go against the grain? Please stop, use common sense!
And then the terms you use! Critical thinking, why does he need to think critically? I come from the business world and there people are encouraged in a positive sense: showing initiative, listening carefully, making proposals, making plans, thinking along and having a say. So be constructive, burning something or someone down is oh so easy!
Dare to go against the flow? That's what the people of Isan have been doing all their lives, not to protest, but simply necessary to survive. Now “my” family has entered somewhat calmer waters. Can you let them continue to float for a while and enjoy their slightly better well-being?
Yes, he chooses the navy, where he receives a good education, develops his real character, grows in respect with his family and fellow villagers, in short, he becomes a full member of the Thai community. He will not become a loiterer like so many in his village and throughout Isaan. Who could object to that?!
Hello Bart
Nice that your son has set his sights on the Thai Navy, like father, like son apparently, only he goes directly for officer status and he is right, why would you (like us at the time) start in an attic room in the barracks sew your navy number into your clothing if there is another option.
It's strange that you can't easily find out what the requirements are to qualify for that training. also nice that you still have a good acquaintance who has experienced the transition from "our" communication form of "dots and dashes" to the current way. Given his rank of sergeant, he must not be our age? By the way, I was recently looking for the email address of Pim Ripken who welcomed us so hospitably in Eemnes a few years ago and then found out that he (at least according to the information I received) has passed away. Was that known to you? It shocked me, another member of our generation suddenly disappearing. Since I also no longer have contact with the other participants in our reunion at the time, I do not know how they are doing. In fact, I only have occasional contact with you. I have sometimes thought about becoming a radio amateur, especially when I lived in Nieuw-Vennep where I had enough space for an entire antenna park, but for some reason that never happened. Of course it had to do with my busy work, but still.... Incidentally, it is not easy to get a broadcasting license, you have to take a number of tough exams and there is no real training for this, you have to do it with self-study, I understand where quite a lot of knowledge of electronics is required. Anyway, these are perhaps the well-known nostalgic belches about a time that – as you yourself write – was very important for my later doings. I believe that only a political party like the PVV is in favor of reintroducing conscription. This is to instill in the young boys (and girls, why not?) a certain form of discipline that they clearly do not receive at home and at school. Although I am not a PVV voter, I am all for that, but of course our left-wing comrades in the 2nd chamber do not agree, it has to do with the army, so I do not agree! The current army has to make do with some remaining unsold tanks, the air force with some outdated F16s (if they can still be kept operational with parts from donor aircraft) and the navy still has some frigates and some mine hunters. But yes, according to our unsurpassed EU adepts such as Duisenberg and Zalm, we no longer needed an army at all, the EU would ensure that there would never be another war, in fact, if we did not join the EU (and of course the EURO) would join would be our share of doom and gloom! Unfortunately, things turn out a little differently, the current situation in Ukraine and the Russian influence on it and also the Russian attempts to invade our territorial waters and airspace do not bode well. Thanks to the weak attitude of both the EU and our national governments, the Netherlands in the lead! But luckily, salvation is at hand: next year an extra 100 million will go to defense, I believe, that will make a difference by a vehicle or boat! The extra increase for development aid is many times greater, but on the other hand, the pensioners (including me) receive less money because eea must of course be paid and since some left-wing rascals have thought that “the elderly” in our country are relatively rich,……. Well, let me stop my lamentation, but I have to tell you that it does not make me happy.
William Feeleus
Moderator: please comment about Thailand and not about the Netherlands.
Bert, you wrote your story about what a good future would be for that boy in Thailand.
That is the most important. You volunteered for the Navy at the age of 16.
I think in terms of age already 54 years ago. I am the same age. At that time I should not have approached my parents with the story of becoming a professional soldier. Be it navy or army.
They never gave permission for that. That money, of course, for others who also received permission to voluntarily enter military service during that period.
I had to serve. Conscription. Normally at that time 18 months, but because I was so good (that hot specialist) 24 months. What was I so good at. I was a sniper.
I would never allow my child to choose a profession that was ultimately made for
kill other people for any reason.
If your son wants it and you support it. I have no problem with it.
Cor.
Thank you for your response, that you have nothing against our son joining the Thai Navy.
I still need something from my heart: I find it repulsive that you think that people go into military service with the idea that now I can kill other people. We're still talking about Defense (Defense) and not Assassination Planning.
Is there no one who can give a sensible answer to the questioner? Sorry I can't resist but they ask a question for info and they start talking about their life. A sensible answer would help the questioner and those who are interested in it a great deal.
Don't quite understand what the discussion is about, the English language website of the Thai Naval Academy was just up and running earlier in the day and now it is.
At “enrollment” it is clearly stated that one of the conditions for admission is that both parents must be Thai by birth, so it seems the kid has to come up with something else.
http://www.rtna.ac.th/english/eng04.php
Joop
I also read the beautifully designed website of the Royal Thai Naval Academy and also saw the relevant requirement that both parents must have Thai nationality. With that, the idea seemed to burst like a soap bubble. When my wife came home, the following conversation unfolds:
Me: “I have only news for you”
She: Oh yes, do you have a mia noi?
Me: "No, it's much worse, it's about Lukin, who wants to join the navy"
She: "Tell me, what's going on?"
Me: "That won't work, because both parents must be Thai!"
She: "So what, I'm Thai"
Me: “I said both parents, so mom and dad”
She: Oh, you Farang, we already inquired. There is no Thai daddy, the birth certificate only shows me, so without a father. It will be fine"
Well, it could be, this is Thailand, isn't it? We will see!
Dear Gringo,
That's fine. The Thai government really likes proof of parentage. If you are not the natural father, you are not. Be careful with really acknowledging your son on paper (that is very easy here in this country) because then you are of course the father.
If you're in real trouble, call me.
So we come back to Gylenthal's reader's question last month:
“Can a mixed-parent Thai child not get a career with the state?”
https://www.thailandblog.nl/lezersvraag/thais-kind-gemengd-ouderschap/
Still not a 100% answer unfortunately. According to the 2007 constitution that has been deactivated, it should not be a problem (everyone is equal, should be treated equally). According to the Lawyer on TVF, it is not an issue either. According to the Armed Forces website, it is a problem…
Let your son do this, and start from the bottom of the ladder, is not bad either,
Enjoy the time in your education, and your further goal,
much suk6,
Salute old marine 2zm 1967/2 Han ready
What's wrong with a career in the Navy? if never experienced it will not appeal. But fashion designer, well that doesn't seem like anything to me. if that boy is adventurous: go for it (and I mean Navy)
build a career in the Thai defense via the KAO CHON KAI route
With a wistful smile I read the naval stories of the former mates. As a sailor 3, later 2 zm sd, I had a pleasant service. Once a cup of coffee; two hours of rifle gymnastics, Connection School Amsterdam. Rode? The spring in my cap wasn't tight enough. I had been messing with it because then I could pass for "old fare".
Live as a permanent resident in Thailand. Feel comfortable here.
Sincerely.
Han.
Thanks for all the responses. As Joeri rightly pointed out, my advice was not much use.
Nevertheless, the reactions were mostly positive, because most of the service comrades were quite pleased with their development in the Kon, Marine. I have already responded to some of them immediately, others I will answer by e-mail.
Thanks again!
Dear Gringo
Watch (and let your son watch) this speech by General van Uhm from 2011. He lost a son in the UN mission in Afghanistan.
Some Americans therefore wanted to appoint him as their commander in chief.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjAsM1vAhW0
Indeed, an impressive speech.
As I wrote before, I was not concerned with the choice of profession, because that is (at least for now) fixed.
I asked any advice from blog readers who had experience with the registration procedure. We are now well informed and let's hope that it works, the procedure itself and of course also the successful completion of the test.
I'll come back to it sometime