Nadech remains a civilian
On Monday a young, very handsome 23-year-old man was in his home town of Khon Kaen to attend an important meeting.
He was there to go through the military conscription process. In other words, he was there to find out if he would become a soldier in the Thai army.
Many people were there to see him because he was no ordinary young man. He was famous Channel 3 television star Nadech Kugimiya.
Nadech told the media that he very much wanted to be a soldier but he also had a problem. He has suffered from asthma since he was a child and is still under the care of a doctor. He brought along a medical certificate from Phramongkutklao Hospital.
The medical examiners in Khon Kaen agreed that he did have a problem. Since asthma is on the list of conditions not allowed by the military, Nadech was declared unfit for military service.
Not everyone was convinced, however, and photos quickly emerged in the social media of a very healthy-looking Nadech wakeboarding and playing football. Was the military being overly lenient to a celebrity who helps them in recruiting campaigns?
Nadech had many defenders, however, including people who suffer (from)fromthe condition.
"Those who don't have the condition condition Meaning: the physical state of a person or animal, especially how healthy they are Thai Translation: อาการ, สุขภาพ Learn more would not know how you couldn't even walk one step when it attacks," wrote User "1135242" on a Pantip forum. "It can keep us from sleeping at night. Who would want to be sick? He has a medical statement. Why would anyone still want to bother or question a sick person? As someone who has suffered from asthma since childhood, I don't think this is something people should joke about."