Ben Davis Has His First Interview Since the Saga & Has ‘No Regrets’ to Default His NS

Ah, Ben Davis.

When you see him in Thailand, you’d either stroke his hair or pull his hair, but the fact remains: he’ll have hair.

The 18-year-old got into the limelight last year when MINDEF rejected his application for NS deferment after he signed a two-year contract with the then newly promoted English Premier League (EPL) club Fulham FC . We soon learned that during his application, he didn’t mention when he’d like to come back to wear green / blue.

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Some supported his decision while others think it’s unfair that he can pursue his football career while Sunday soccer players like us cannot pursue our own careers.

Singaporeans were also triggered when Fulham FC listed him as an English, and he soon joined the Thai National team.

Lest you’re not aware, the professional footballer holds three citizenships: Thailand, England and Singapore.

Suffice to say, it’s only the Singapore citizenship that’s causing the issue: if he avoids NS altogether, he’ll be fined or jailed should he step foot into Singapore again.

Kind of like the Crazy Rich Asians’ writer.

He’s been silent throughout, as his father has been the one speaking on his behalf last year.

But now, the man himself has spoken.

“I’m Cool With It”

CNA somehow managed to get the scoop and talked to the promising footballer who can keep long hair from now on.

While in Bangkok for a training camp with the Thai National U23s team, he told CNA, “I don’t think I’m going to go back. I’m cool with that…For me it’s all about succeeding in football. I don’t really look back.

“I feel like I’m from Thailand and England. I feel like those are my home countries. And my mum really wants me to play for Thailand so I want to make her proud. That’s my main reason.”

For your info, Ben was born in Phuket, and moved to Singapore since he was five, staying here for about ten years before moving to London in 2016. He picked up soccer in Singapore, and represented Singapore in the U16s and U18s teams.

For people who failed their maths, here are the numbers: he was in Thailand for five years, in Singapore for ten years and in England for three years.

Yeah, he’s definitely from Thailand and England.

He added, “I’ve always wanted to play for Thailand or England because I knew the standard was better and in my blood, I knew I was from there. When I was living in Singapore it was difficult because I came through the system and I grew up there a bit and grew up playing football there so that’s the only thing I knew.”

As for his decision to completely siam 2-year NS and 10-cycle ICTs now call Thailand home? He said, “It is the right decision… I don’t think I’m going to go back (to Singapore). I’m cool with that.”

Playing Against His Former Teammates

If you’re a soccer siao, you’d know how intense it is when players played against their former teams, especially in an away match.

So, does his teammates (those Singaporeans who cannot siam NS) hate him for making this decision?

According to him, it’s a big no.

“They’re actually happy for me. They support me. They’re not mad or anything but when we play against each other we’ll see what happens.”

Now, how about the fans? Especially fans of Singapore in home matches? I mean, if one day, Ben Davis plays for Thailand in Singapore—

Oh, wait.

If he’s here, he’ll be in jail.

So don’t worry: unless you’re willing to fly overseas to watch a Singapore match, you most probably won’t have the chance to boo at him.