Rookie boy group The Wind's Thai member Thanatorn revealed something new about himself that came as welcoming to many fans.
On May 27 KST, while talking with fans at a mini fan meeting after this week's recording of 'Show! Music Core', Thanatorn explained that he has already fulfilled Thailand's mandatory military service requirements.
Leader Jaewon explained, "Just like how Korean schools used to have military drills for students, [Thanatorn] fulfilled his requirement by enrolling in a military training course. The mandatory service requirement can be met through this course. So Thanatorn already knows how to shoot a gun. He's the only soldier-dol among us. He is only 19-years old (18-years old in international age), but he has already fulfilled his military service."
It's well-known that Thailand is a country with a mandatory military service requirement for all of its able-bodied male citizens, much like South Korea. However, Thailand's military service is lottery based, meaning not all young men have to enlist, only those chosen in the lottery. All young men who meet health requirements do have to enter the lottery. Based on this system, other male Thai idols such as 2PM's Nichkhun and GOT7's BamBam previously received exemption from mandatory service, as their names were not chosen by the lottery.
In particular, many fans were thrilled to hear the news, as this means that with the oldest member being born in 2004 and the youngest member being born in 2008, The Wind will be able to promote as a full group for the next 10-years without its Korean members worrying about their mandatory service duties.
Smart move. Happy to hear 😊