A number of young men aged 21 living in Sattahip paid a visit to Sattahip School on Wednesday to learn their fate in a lottery.  No ordinary lottery, as this was to see if they would have to undertake two years of compulsory military service. In fact, a total of 400 young men turned up and a large number decided to sign up, leaving just over 100 places still available which were chosen via the lottery system.  The only exceptions for exclusion from the draw were transsexuals who had completed a gender reassignment procedure, men with disabilities or those severely overweight.  There were some tense moments for the families of those involved who attended and watched as their sons pulled out either black or red markers.  Black markers indicating they would not have to join the military and cheers were heard as each man picked a marker under the watchful eyes of the army and navy officials.

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