Channel 24 News, South Africa (http://www.news24.com/News24/World/News/0,,2-10-1462_1751728,00.html)
Bangkok - Bombarded by complaints from transvestites and transsexuals who are exempt from the military because of "mental disorder," the Thai army is amending the law to omit the words and keep up with a changing society, an official said on Wednesday.
All Thai men at the age of 20 are required by law to register to serve in the military as conscript soldiers. Recruits are selected in a lottery system, but each year thousands of men who dress or have undergone surgical procedures to look like women receive certificates of exemption that are stamped "due to mental disorder."
No big surprise that they are changing it. Transgenders have for a very long time been a part of Thai culture. Same thing with many other cultures. Some have moved away from it. I am surprised Thailand has ever had a problem with it.