Thailand’s Military Youth Movement (03)

Thailand’s Military Youth Movement (03)

“ In every school in Thailand, the same scholar wrote, “ from kindergarten to the university, the national flag with its red, white, and blue stripes is solely raised every morning, while pupils and students stand at attention”, singing the national anthem, the words of which contain the nationalist feeling:

Thailand embraces in its bosom all people of Thai blood. Every inch of Thailand belongs to the Thais. It has long maintained its sovereignty because the Thais have always been united. The Thai people are peace-loving, but they are no cowards in war. They shall allow no one to rob them of their independence. Nor shall they suffer tyranny. All Thais are ready to give every jot of blood for the nation’s safety, freedom and progress.

Yuvachon Flag for Youth

While the Thais were pre-occupied with the creation of the New Thailand, the French were suspicious of the growing nationalist tendencies of the Thais, and of their leaning towards Japan, Italy and Germany.

Naturally the French were worried about the Pan-Thai movement and irredentism because it looked as if they were inspired by Nazi concepts. Likewise the Yuvachon which the French saw as the equivalent of the Hitler youth.