In 2015, the Thai military government published “The 12 core values of Thais” that have been taught at the Thai schools and universities since then. It is a culture campaign.
The agencies in charge of the project were the “Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Ministry”, the “Science and Technology Ministry” and the Culture Ministry”.
The 12 Thai Values are:
- Upholding the three main pillars of the country: the nation, the religion, and the monarchy;
- Showing honesty, sacrifice, and patience with a positive attitude for the interest of the public;
- Practicing filial piety towards parents, guardians and teachers;
- Seeking both direct and indirect knowledge and education;
- Preserving Thai traditions and cultures;
- Practicing morality, integrity, considerateness, generosity, and sharing;
- Understanding and learning true democratic ideals with His Majesty the King as Head of State;
- Maintaining discipline and respectfulness for laws and the elderly;
- Being conscious and mindful of one’s actions in line with His Majesty’s the King’s royal statements;
- Applying His Majesty the King’s sufficiency economy ideas to save money for times of need, being moderate with surpluses for sharing or expansion of business, while at the same time having immunity to hardships along the way;
- Keeping physically and mentally strong, unyielding to evil powers or desires and having a sense of shame over guilt and sins in accordance with religious principles;
- Putting the public and national interest before one’s own interest.
Source: Bangkok Post
“Since February 2020, tens of thousands of predominantly young people in Thailand have been organizing mass demonstrations on a regular basis against the pro-military government of General Prayuth Chanoca.” (Source)
In the mass protests, young people demand their rights of Democracy, Freedom and Social Security for everyone.
“SOTUS (Seniority, Order, Tradition, Unity, Spirit) system, a traditional system of ritualized hazing in Thai universities, plays in reinforcing and instilling of the importance of hierarchy into Thai young adults. The SOTUS system, in Thailand, represents a period of moderate to severe hazing by their seniors in the first weeks or months of a university freshman’s time at school. Through synchronous activities, games, and punishments, the system’s goal is to create unity within one’s own specific age-peer group and to inspire loyalty and respect in the younger students (nong) to their seniors (phi), as well as to reinforce traditional ideas about hierarchy within the society as a whole…” Source