The Roles of Propaganda Organizations in Thailand (06)

The Roles of Propaganda Organizations in Thailand (06)

Luang Vichitr Vadakarn

The Department of Publicity worked in conjunction with the Department of Fine Arts, under Luang Vichtr Vadakarn, its Director. During this period he produced dramas, songs, and literature for nationalistic purposes. A good number of dramas were based on Thai history and were about the struggle for Thailand’s independence and glorified heroes whose duty and love were only for the nation. These plays are still extremely popular and many songs from them are still sung regularly in Thailand.

Luang Vichitr also produced military songs for the three field armies which became engaged in fighting with the French Indo-Chinese forces.

Nai Honhuai, a former police officer in the field police force and a former member of the “Yuvachon Movement”, wrote that the tunes and rhythm of the songs aroused extreme nationalistic and militaristic feelings; they were most popular at the time.

He further noted that the psychological warfare launched by the Thai Government was so effective that even Buddhist monks and novices, who were legally and traditionally except from military service, had applied at government district offices to fight to recover the lost territories.

Backed by the effective propaganda campaigns, the Thai Premier made a bellicose broadcast on October 20. The possibility of war was contemplated and the public was told what measure had to be taken in order to wage it not only at the front and by the auxiliary services but also by the people themselves. By then diplomatic channels for recovering lost territories seemed to have been closed and replaced by military measure.

Feelings against the French ran high and when French Minister Lepissier was recalled and left Bangkok in December 1940, there was not a single Thai present at the railway station to bid him farewell. Monsieur Roger Garreau was sent to take charge of the legation in his place. He attempted to initiate negotiations with the Thai Government but did not meet with any co-operation.