Thai NS Defaulter Gets $6,000 Fine Mr Ekawit Tangtrakarn, a 24-year-old National Service (NS) defaulter has received his sentence in State Courts on Tuesday (18 Sep). He received a fine of $6,000 after returning voluntarily to Singapore to face charges dating back to 20 Jul 2016. Early admission & surrender were mitigating factors District Judge John Ng said that a “custodial sentence” – one that involved keeping him in custody within a jail – wasn’t required. Ekawit’s early admission and surrender to the charges against him, served as “mitigating factors” in the case. Also, it was determined that Ekawit didn’t really receive benefits as a Singaporean as he: Only made visits to Singapore Never applied for an NRIC Wasn’t issued an identity card Did not live in Singapore or consider it a ‘homeland’ The judge found it reasonable that Ekawit pledged his allegiance to Thailand as he was born, raised and served in the Royal Thai Army there. $6,000 fine over a 9-week jail term However, Judge Ng elaborated that Ekawit did evade his NS obligations and placed his “personal goals and pursuits ahead of his liability to serve his nation”. For defaulting on his NS obligations, Ekawit could have […]
6 years ago
