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Thanks to Liberal Thai
Regular PPT readers will know that we consider Prime Minister’s Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey a reactionary and royalist who cares nothing for human rights. He is one of the leading forces in driving the return to a political dark age.
Prachatai (18 September 2009: “Government campaign for National Anthem to be sung across the country”) has a story that confirms Sathit’s political positions.
The report states that the Democrat Party-led government “will encourage the Thai people in all provinces to come out to sing the National Anthem at 6 pm every day until 5 Dec to promote unity and patriotism.”
No doubt this bit of royalist display – it is part of the king’s birthday celebrations – will also be a convenient way to identify traitors, republicans and red shirts.
These massed singings will even be broadcast live from each province.
Sathit said that the “Cabinet had approved the United and Strong Thai Project to urge the Thai people to love the country and act in the best interests of the nation, not of certain individuals.”
Sathit thinks that having people “show their patriotism every day by singing the National Anthem” is meaningful. He proposed it “as Chair of the Committee to Promote the Confidence and Image of Thailand, citing current political conflicts as the reason to implement this project.”
Such events and pressuring people is likely to deepen resentment.
But, of course, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will “preside over the launch … and sing the National Anthem with Cabinet members, sports troops and others at Government House. And then all 76 provinces will take turn to hold the activity each day, with provincial governors leading the singing.” The whole thing will wrap-up on “5 Dec, the PM will host the closing ceremony and sing with representatives from all provinces at Sanam Luang, Bangkok, to celebrate the King’s birthday.”
Before the live daily broadcasts on “all TV and radio stations” there will be “a 2-minute documentary will be shown featuring the patriotic feats of people in that particular province.”
PPT’s favorite rendition of any national anthem is here. Full lyrics here. It begins, perhaps not inappropriately:
God save the queen
The fascist regime
They made you a moron
and ends
No future for you
No future no future
No future for you
No future no future for you
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